Keim's  Illustrated  Hand -Book. 


Washington  and  its  Environs: 

A 

DESCRIPTIVE  AND  HISTORICAL  HAND-BOOK 

TO  TH¥ 

CAPITAL  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 


BY  DeB.  RANDOLPH  KEIM, 
Washington  Correspondent, 
author  or  " sheridan's  troopers  on  the  borders,"  and  "sketches 

OF  SAN  DOMINGO.*' 


REVISED  ANNUALLY. 

EIGHTH  EDITION— Corrected  to  January,  1876. 


WASHINGTON  CITY: 
FOR   THE  COMPILER. 
1876. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1876, 
BY  PbB.  RANDOLPH  KEIM, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


NOTICE.— -The  compiler  cautions  all  persons  against  infringement  of  copy- 
right of  any  of  his  publications,  whether  in  maps,  diagrams,  illustrations,  where 
originals,  or  in  the  material,  or  arrangement.  Any  such  infringement  will  be  rigor- 
ously prosecuted  under  the  copyright  law. 


B.  F.  OWEN, 
PRINTER, 
READING,  PA. 


CONTENTS. 

[See  Alphabetical  Index  at  the  end  of  the  Hand-book.] 


Page. 

Preface   V 

General  Information   vii 

Hotels,  vii— Lodgings,  vii— Boarding,  viii — Restaurants,  viii — 
Railroads,  viii — Steamers,  ix— Street  Cars,  ix — Vehicles  for 
hire,  xii— City  Post  Office,  xii— Mails,  xii — Rates  of  Postage, 
xiii— Telegraph  Offices,  xiii — Churches,  xiii— Theatres,  xiv — 
General  Amusements,  xiv— Etiquette,  Ceremonies,  and  For- 
malities, xiv — Distances  from  Washington,  xix — Foreign  Dis- 


tances, xix— Differences  of  Time,  xx. 

Section  I. 

Washington  and  the  District  of  Columbia   1 

Washington,  1 — District  of  Columbia,  5. 

Section  II. 
Description  of  the  City   15 

Avenues,  Squares,  Statues,  &c. 

Section  III. 
Public  Buildings  and  Grounds   55 


Historical  Retrospect,  55— Capitol,  56— History  of  Congress, 
118— President's  House,  121— Department  of  State,  128— Treas- 
ury Department,  131— War  Department,  136— Navy  Depart- 
ment, 140— Department  of  the  Interior,  142— Patent  Office, 
145— General  Post  Office,  151— Department  of  Justice,  154 — 
Department  of  Agriculture,  156— Naval  Observatory,  163— 
Army  Medical  Musuem,  166— Government  Printing  Office, 
168— Winder's  Building,  170— City  Hall,  171— Arsenal,  172— 
Navy-Yard,  174 — Marine  Barracks,  176 — Magazines,  177. 

Section  IV. 
w^aces  of  General  Interest   178 

Smithsonian  Institution,  178— Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art,  189 — 
Washington  National  Monument,  192-Armory,  196--Churches, 
197 -Halls,  198— Newspaper  Offices,  199— Public  Schools,  201— 
A.sylnm9,  202— Cemeteries,  205 — District  Government,  207— 
Markets,  209— Places  of  Historical  Interest,  210. 


iv 


CONTENTS. 


Section  V. 
The  Environs  of  Washington   211 

Section  VI. 

History  of  Washington   234 

Index   244 


Abbreviations. 

N.,  S.,  E.,  W.,  north,  northern,  northward,  south,  &c, 
east,  &c,  west.,  &c. ;  m.,  mile ;  sq.  m.,  square  mile ;  lbs., 
pounds;  r.,  right;  1.,  left;  hr.,  hour;  min.,  minute;  yr., 
year;  a.,  acres;  av.,  avenue;  st.,  street;  yds.,  yards. 


PEEFACB. 


The  necessity  of  a  reliable  and  complete  Descriptive 
and  Historical  Hand-book  to  the  Capital  of  the 
United  States  has  long  been  felt.  Warden's  Geographical 
and  Statistical  Description  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  pub- 
lished in  Paris  in  1816,  and  the  several  editions  of  the  Guides 
compiled  by  William  Elliott,  1826  and  1830,  and  George  Wat- 
terson,  1848,  are  really  the  only  ones  which  possess  the  merit 
of  original  research.  The  productions  of  a  similar  character 
published  since  1848,  and  especially  the  later  ones,  have  been 
crude  and  imperfect,  impositions  in  character  and  price,  and 
noticeable  only  as  containing  the  smallest  amount  of  informa- 
tion for  the  largest  amount  of  money. 

The  compiler  of  the  present  work  hopes  to  avoid  these 
objections  at  least,  and  to  give  to  the  public  a  Hand-book 
of  attractive  and  useful  descriptive  information  about  all 
places  of  interest  in  and  around  Washington,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  supply  some  appropriate  historical  data  which 
may  be  valuable  to  carry  away  as  a  souvenir  of  a  visit  to  the 
Seat  of  Government. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  historical  portions  of  the  HAND- 
BOOK to  Washington  and  its  Environs,  original  author- 
ities only  have  been  examined,  including  the  manuscript  rec- 
ords, correspondence,  and  proceedings  of  the  Commissioners 
charged  with  the  superintendence  of  the  building  of  the  city, 
1791-1800 ;  the  correspondence  of  George  Washington,  Thom- 
as Jefferson,  and  others  on  the  same  subject;  the  Statutes  at 
Large ;  official  documents,  from  the  establishment  of  the  per- 
manent Seat  of  Government  down  to  the  present  time;  besides 
the  writings  of  travelers  and  public  men  and  files  of  news- 
papers. 

[Respecting  the  descriptive  features,  all  points  of  interest 
in  the  city  and  surroundings,  still  in  existence,  have  been 
personally  visited  and  inspected. 

It  is  hoped,  therefore,  that  the  Hand-book  will  prove  not 
only  an  invaluable  companion  on  the  spot,  but  an  ever-wel- 
come and  entertaining  friend  for  future  perusal  and  refer- 
ence at  the  home  fireside. 

The  compiler  is  under  obligations  to  many  of  the  officers 
(v) 


vi 


PREFACE. 


of  the  Government;  and  while  desiring  to  recognize  their 
kindness,  finds  it  difficult  to  make  distinctions  by  individuals : 
he  therefore  thanks  them  all. 

The  general  information  has  been  compiled  with  special 
reference  to  the  necessities  of  the  stranger  in  the  city,  and, 
in  connection  with  other  useful  matter,  will  be  found  to  con- 
tain trustworthy  intelligence  respecting  railways,  hotels, 
churches,  theatres,  &c.  The  code  of  Etiquette  in  Washing- 
ton and  Street-car  Directory  will  be  found  particularly  con- 
venient and  valuable. 

The  remaining  features  of  the  Hand-book  will  appear  as 
the  reader  familiarizes  himself  with  its  contents. 

In  a  city  like  the  capital  of  such  a  constantly  expanding 
Republic  as  the  United  States  of  America  there  are  never- 
ending  changes.  To  keep  pace  with  these,  it  is  the  intention 
to  annually  revise  and  augment  the  Hand-book  to  Wash- 
ington and  its  Envibons,  so  as  to  keep  it  at  all  times  cor- 
rected to  the  latest  period. 

The  compiler  does  not  presume  that  the  Hand-book  is 
faultless ;  but  to  approximate  such  a  degree  of  completeness, 
as  far  as  practicable,  will  constantly  be  his  endeavor.  He 
will  therefore  be  grateful  for  any  errors  or  omissions  pointed 
out  or  corrections  suggested.  These  may  be  communicated 
by  letter. 

DeB.  R.  K. 

Washington,  D.  C,  3874. 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


HOSE  who  are  influenced  by  a  desire  to  visit  the 
National  Capital,  when  most  attractive  in  point 
'*)WtP-  °^  Deau^y  °*  mature  and  art,  and  without  reference 
to  the  fashionable  and  congressional  season,  should 
.  *3fttl  arrive  in  May  or  June,  or  October  or  November. 

P  The  hottest  months  are  July  and  August.  The 
winters,  on  the  other  hand,  are  generally  mild  and  beautiful. 
The  health  of  the  city  at  all  seasons  is  unexceptionable.  For 
official  and  social  seasons  see  Etiquette, 

Hotels. — The  National  Capital  has  a  number  of  hotels, 
some  of  which  will  compare  favorably  with  the  best  in  the 
country.  They  are  all  located  upon  or  conveniently  acces- 
sible to  the  different  lines  of  street  cars  connecting  the  Ex- 
ecutive Departments  with  the  Capitol  and  western  and  east- 
ern portions  of  the  city.  The  following  are  the  principal 
hotels  and  charges  per  day :  The  Arlington,  Vermont  av., 
near  H  st.  N.,  $5;  Ebbitt,  F  st.,  corner  of  14th  st.  W.,  $4  00; 
Willards\  Pennsylvania  av.,  corner  of  14th  st.  W.,  $4  50; 
Metropolitan,  Pennsylvania  av.,  between  Gth  and  7th  sts.  W., 
$4;  Imperial,  E  st.  N.,  between  13th  and  14th  sts.  W.,  $4; 
and  National,  Pennsylvania  av.,  corner  of -Gth  st.  W.,  $4. 
The  hotels  on  the  European  plan  are  the  St.  James,  Penn- 
sylvania av.,  corner  of  6th  st.  W.,  single  rooms,  one  person, 
$1  to  $2 ;  double  rooms,  two  persons,  $2  to  $6 ;  the  latter  in- 
cludes parlor  and  bed-room;  restaurant  attached;  and  St. 
Marc,  Pennsylvania  av.,  near  7th  st.  W.,  single  rooms  $1  to 
$2,  double  $2  to  $3;  restaurant  attached.  There  are  also 
other  hotels  on  the  American  and  European  plans  suited  to 
all  classes  of  persons,  and  at  lower  rates. 

Lodgings. — Persons  desiring  to  pass  some  time  in  Wash- 
ington, and  desirous  of  living  retired,  can  find  excellent  lodg- 
ings in  the  vicinity  of  all  the  hotels,  and  in  different  parts  of 
the  city.  The  large  transient  population  of  the  city  has  cre- 
ated an  unusual  demand  for  this  style  of  accommodations, 
and  every  grade,  from  elegant  suites  down  to  unpretending 
single  apartments,  may  be  found.   The  rates  for  rooms 

(vii) 


viii 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


would  range  from  $25  for  single  rooms  to  $100  and  upwards 
a  month  for  suites.  Persons  remaining  less  than  a  month 
can  also  be  supplied  with  quarters. 

Boarding, — Many  houses  in  which  lodgings  can  be  secured 
also  provide  daity  board,  ranging  from  $25  to  $35  a  month  for 
each  person.  The  hotels  also  accommodate  outside  boarders 
at  $45  a  month  for  each  person. 

Restaurants. — A  number  of  excellent  restaurants  can  be 
found  in  all  the  business  portions  of  the  city.  Frequently 
persons  find  it  more  convenient  to  have  lodgings  and  take 
their  meals  nearest  where  they  may  happen  to  be  at  the 
hour  of  dining.  The  charges  at  restaurants  are  about  the 
same  as  at  hotels  or  boarding-houses,  according  to  grade. 
There  are  several  excellent  restaurants  equal  in  appoint- 
ments to  any  in  the  large  cities  of  the  North.  Cuisine 
excellent. 

Eailroads. — (See  Table  of  Distances.) — Persons  departing 
from  Washington  have  a  choice  of  several  routes. 

North,  East,  and  West.— Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Eailroad — Depot  NE.  corner  of  New  Jersey  av.  and  C  st. 
NW.,  may  be  reached  by  the  blue  cars  on  Pennsylvania  av. 
and  the  F-st.  cars.  Ticket  Offices,  485  Pennsylvania  av.  and 
the  Depot. 

North,  East,  and  West.— Baltimore  and  Potomac 
Eailroad — Depot  SW.  corner  of  B  and  6th  sts.  NW.,  may 
be  reached  by" street  cars  on  9th  st.,  and  within  one  square 
on  Pennsylvania  av.  Ticket  Offices,  13th  and  6th  sts.  and 
Pennsylvania  av.  and  Depot. 

South  and  Southwest. — Southern  trains  leave  from 
the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Depot.  Travellers  may  also 
leave  Washington  by  the  Potomac  Ferry  Company,  at 
the  foot  of  7th  st.  W.,  and  take  trains  at  the  corner  of  King 
and  Union  sts.,  Alexandria,  for  Kichmond  and  New  Orleans. 
Transfer  coaches  convey  passengers  from  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Depot  to  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Depot  and  Poto- 
mac Ferry. 

Alexandria. — Local  trains  on  the  Alexandria  and  Wash- 
ington Eailroad  leave  from  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac 
Depot  about  every  hour  during  the  day. 

Sleeping  Cars  are  attached  to  all  through  night  trains. 
Tickets  may  be  procured  at  railroad  ticket  offices. 

Baggage  will  be  called  for  and  checked  to  all  the  princi- 
pal cities  of  the  United  States,  by  leaving  orders  at  the  rail- 
road ticket  offices. 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


ix 


Steamers.— Alexandria— The  Washington  and  Al- 
exandria Ferry  steamers  ply  hourly  each  way  between 
Washington  and  Alexandria  daring  the  day.  Wharf  foot  of 
7th  St.,  Washington,  and  King  St.,  Alexandria.  Fare,  single 
trip  15  cents,  round  trip  25  cents. 

Mount  Vernon. — The  steamer  for  Mount  Vernon  leaves 
the  7th-st.  wharf  daily,  except  Sunday,  at  10  A.  M.  Return- 
ing, arrives  at  Washington  at  4  P.M.  Fare,  $1.50,  and  ad- 
mission to  mansion  and  grounds. 

Quantico. — Potomac  Steamboat  Company— Steam- 
ers leave  daily,  at  7  A.  M.,  from  the  7th-st.  wharf,  for  Qua?i- 
tico,  connecting  with  trains  for  Richmond  and  the  South. 

Potomac  Landings. — The  Palisades,  on  Mondays  and 
Thursdays,  7  "A.  M.,  and  Pilot  Boy,  on  Tuesdays  and  Fridays, 
7  A.M.,  during  navigation,  from  7th-st.  wharf. 

Baltimore  and  Intermediate  Landings.  — Three 
steamers  a  week,  during  the  season  of  navigation,  leaving 
Mondays,  7  P.  M.,  Tuesdays,  9  P.  M.,  and  Fridays,  12  mid- 
night, from  the  7th-st.  wharf. 

New  York. — The  Washington  and  New  York  steam- 
ers leave  Fridays,  from  the  foot  of  High  st.,  Georgetown. 

Philadelphia. — Steamers  leave  Georgetown  (Water  st.) 
on  Tuesdays  and  Saturdays,  at  10  A.  M.,  via  canal,  till  navi- 
gation closes. 

Boston  and  Norfolk.— Steamers  of  the  Washington, 
Norfolk,  and  Boston  Line  leave  the  7th-st.  wharf  Mon- 
days and  Thursdays,  at  2  P.  M.,  touching  at  all  principal 
landings,  and  connecting  with  the  Richmond  and  Boston 
steamers.  This  line  usually  suspends  during  the  winter 
months. 

The  wharves  of  all  the  Washington  lines  may  be  reached 
by  the  7th-st.  horse-cars. 

Street  Oars.— All  parts  of  Washington  may  be  reached  by 
street-cars. 

Washington  and  Georgetown  Street  Railway,  incor- 
porated 1S62,  cars  every  3,  4,  and  5  min.  during  the  day,  start 
on  Bridge  St.,  at  High,  Georgetown,  cross  Rock  Creek  over 
a  fine  iron  bridge,  follow  Pennsylvania  av.,  passing  Mills' 
Statue  of  Washington,  Corcoran  Art  Galleiy,  Lafayette 
Square,  War  Department,  President's  House,  and  Treasiuy. 
At  the  intersection  of  loth  st.  W.  the3r  connect  with  the  cars 
on  the  14th  Street  and  Columbia  Railways.  Exchange  tick- 
ets given  for  the  former.  At  the  S.  end  of  the  Treasury 
they  again  enter  Pennsylvania  av.,  which  they  follow  the 
entire  length  of  the  business  quarter  of  the  city,  passing  the 
Centre  Market  and  Botanical  Garden.    At  9th  st.  W.  they 


X 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


intercept  the  Metropolitan  line  N.  and  S. ;  and  at  7th  st.  W. 
connect  with  the  cars  of  the  7th  st.  branch  IS",  and  S.  On 
the  latter  exchange  tickets  are  given.  At  the  W.  gate  of  the 
Capitol  grounds  one  branch  turns  to  the  1.  for  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad  Depot  every  10  min.  during  the  day,  and 
the  other  to  the  r.  for  the  Capitol  or  Navy  Yard,  every  5  min. 
during  the  day.  At  the  top  of  the  hill  a  branch  carries  pas- 
sengers to  the  E.  front  of  the  House,  or  S.  extension  of  the 
Capitol.  The  main  line  continues  along  B  st.  S.  to  Pennsyl- 
vania av.,  and  thence  to  8th  st.  E.,  thence  passing  the  Marine 
Barracks  to  the  Navy  Yard. 

Fourteenth-Street  Branch,  cars  every  10  min.  dur- 
ing the  day,  start  on  New  York  av.  at  loth  st.  W.,  NE.  of 
the  Treasury  Department,  thence  to  14th  st.,  thence  N.  to 
boundary,  passing  the  Fourteenth-Street  Circle  and  State 
Department.  Exchange  tickets  are  given  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania av.  line. 

Seventh-Street  Branch,  cars  every  4  and  5  min.  dur- 
ing the  day,  start  at  the  boundary,  follow  the  same  street 
across  the  city  to  the  Potomac  river,  passing  the  N.  Market, 
Mount  Vernon  Place,  Patent  and  Post  Offices,  and  Odd- 
Fellows'  Hall.  At  Massachusetts  av.  they  intersect  the  Co- 
lumbia Railway,  and  at  F  st.  1ST.  the  Metropolitan  line.  On 
Pennsylvania  av.  they  connect  with  the  main  line.  Ex- 
change tickets  given  E.  or  W.  The  cars  now  pass  the  Cen- 
tre Market,  cross  the  Mall,  with  the  Smithsonion  grounds  on 
r.,  continuing  to  the  wharves  for  the  Alexandria,  Mount 
Vernon,  and  other  steamers. 

Metropolitan  Railway,  incorporated  1864,  cars  every 
4  min.  during  the  clay,  start  on  17th  st.,  W.  of  the  Navy 
and  New  State  Departments,  follow  17th  st.  W.,  passing  the 
State,  War,  and  Navy  Departments,  and  Corcoran  Art  Gal- 
lery to  H  st. ;  here  the  Georgetown  branch  leaves ;  thence 
passing  Lafayette  Square  to  14th  st. ;  thence  to  F  st.,  inter- 
secting the  14th  st.  and  Columbia  Railways  at  New  York 
av. ;  connecting  with  the  cars  on  the  9th  st.  branch  N.  and 
S.,  on  which  exchange  tickets  are  given,  passing  the  Patent 
and  Post  Offices,  and  intersecting  the  7th  st.  line ;  thence  to 
5th  st. ;  thence  to  Louisiana  av.,  passing  Judiciary  Square ; 
thence  to  Indiana  av.,  passing  the  City  Hall;  thence  to  C 
st.,  passing  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  depot  to  Delaware  av. ; 
thence  to  B  st.  N.,  where  the  E.  Capitol  branch  leaves; 
thence  to  the  Senate  extension. 

Georgetown  and  East  Capitol  Street  Branch,  cars 
every  6  min.  during  the  day.  Same  as  the  main  line  going 
W.  Cars  leave  that  at  H  and  17th  sts.  NW. ;  thence  to  Con- 
necticut av. ;  thence  to  P  st.  at  the  Circle,  intersecting  the 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


XI 


Connecticut  av.  and  Park  Railway  ;  thence  along P  st.,  cross- 
ing Bock  Creek  over  a  fine  bridge,  entering  West  St.,  George- 
town ;  thence  to  High ;  thence  to  Fayette,  where  it  passes  the 
Convent  of  the  Visitation ;  thence  to  2d ;  thence  to  High ; 
thence  to  Dumbarton;  thence  to  Montgomery;  thence  to 
West,  where  the  return  track  follows  the  outward,  back  to 
Washington.  The  East  Capitol  extension  continues  on  B  st. 
IS",  to  1st  E. ;  thence  to  East  Capitol  st.,  and  thence  to  Lin- 
coln Square,  the  present  terminus.  It  will  be  extended  E. 
on  the  same  street  to  the  Anacostia. 

Ninth  Street  Branch,  cars  every  7  and  8  min.  during 
the  day,  start  at  Boundary;  thence,  passing  Mount  Vernon 
Place,  the  Patent  Office  and  Masonic  and  Lincoln  Halls,  toB 
st.  At  New  York  av.  they  intersect  the  Columbia  Kail  way. 
At  F  st.  exchange  tickets  are  given  E.  and  W.  OnB  st.  the 
cars  pass  the  Centre  Market,  and  intersect  the  7th  st.  line. 
On  6th  st.  they  pass  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Depot  to  Mis- 
souri av. ;  thence  to  4J  st. ;  thence  to  the  Arsenal  gate. 

Silver  Springs  Branch,  of  Metropolitan  road  starts  at 
the  N.  terminus  of  the  7th  st.  line,  and  follows  the  7th  st. 
road  a  distance  of  1J  m  ,  passing  the  Scheutzen  Park  and 
Howard  Univershy,  and  terminates  at  present  at  the  road  to 
the  Soldiers'  Home  and  Kock  Creek  Church. 

Columbia  Kailway,  incorporated  1870,  cars  every  10 
min.  during  the  day,  start  on  New  York  av.  at  loth  st.  W., 
NE.  of  the  Treasury ;  thence  to  H  st.  At  14th  st.  they  cross 
the  Metropolitan  and  14th  st.  lines ;  at  9th  st.  W.  the  Metro- 
politan, passing  Mount  Vernon  Place,  to  Massachusetts  av. 
At  7th  st.  they  cross  that  line  ;  thence  to  H  st.  N. ;  thence  to 
the  boundaiy,  passing  the  Government  Printing  Office.  At 
the  terminus  the  Baltimore  turnpike  and  Benning's  Bridge 
road  commence. 

Connecticut  Avenue  and  Park  Kailway,  incorpo- 
rated 1868.  The  Connecticut  av.  portion  is  used  by  the  Me- 
tropolitan line  to  Georgetown.  A  car  connects  at  the  P  st. 
Circle,  and  runs  to  boundary. 

Fares. — The  rate  of  fare  on  the  Washington  and  George- 
town  line  is  5  cents,  to  include  a  transfer  or  exchange  ticket 
on  the  14th  and  7th  st.  branches  N.  and  S.  The  fare  on  the 
Metropolitan  line  is  7  cents  for  single  tickets,  or  ten  for  50 
cents,  or  on  the  9th-st.  branch  five  for  25  cents.  Transfers 
N.  and  S.  are  given  on  the  9th-st.  branch.  The  fare  on  the 
Columbia  line  is  5  cts. 

Further  extensions  of  existing  lines,  and  the  construction 
of  new  ones,  are  proposed,  in  some  instances  the  roadway 
having  already  been  laid. 


xii 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


Vehicles  for  hire.— Rates  of  fare  established  by  law  for 
hacks,  cabs,  or  other  vehicle  for  hire  in  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. 

Bet.  5  a.  m.  and    Bet.  12.30  a.  m. 
12.30  a.  m.  and  5  a.  m. 

For  one  or  two  passengers  in  a  one-  f  Perh'r,  75  cts.  Per  hour,  $1  12. 

horse  vehicle.                              (Pertrip,75  cts.  Per  trip,  $1  12. 

For  one  or  two  passengers,  four-  [Per hour, $1  50.  Per  hour,  $2  25. 

seated  vehicle  drawn  by  two  <  Per  trip,  ex-  Per  trip,  exceed- 

horses,  within  the  city.                (  ceed'glm.,$l.  1  m.,  $1  50. 

And  for  each  additional  passenger,  50  cts. 
One  mile  or  less,  one  half  these  rates. 
For  one  or  two  passengers,  four-    ~  „  i.' .,_      Kn   n^v,™..  <to  or 

from  Georgetown,      *  1  m"  12  00'  lnS  1  m"  ®3  00- 

And  for  each  additional  passenger,  50  cts. 

One  mile  or  less,  one  half  these  rates. 

One-horse  vehicle  does  not  include  buggies  and  phaetons. 

In  all  cases  where  a  vehicle  is  not  engaged  by  the  hour,  it 
will  be  considered  as  being  engaged  by  the  trip. 

Special  rates  are  charged  for  excursions. 

If  there  should  be  an  overcharge,  drive  to  the  nearest  police 
station,  where  officers  in  charge  will  immediately  decide  the 
case. 

In  every  case  require  a  ticket  of  the  driver  before  starting. 

City  Post  Office. — General  Post  Office  Building,  entrance 
on  F  st.  General  Delivery,  6  a.  m.  to  11  p.  m.  Box 
Delivery,  7  a.  m.  to  8  p.  m.  Sunday,  8  to  10  a.  m.  and  6 
to  7  p.  m.  Letter  Carriers1  Window  on  r.,  open  7  to 
8  p.  m.   Stamp  Office  on  r.   Ladies'  Window  on  the  1. 

The  Mails.— -Eastern— for  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Bos- 
ton, &c,  due  6.30  A.  M.,  6P.M.;  close  7  A.  M.  8  P.  M. 

Western — due  6.05,  11.30  a.  m.,  2,  7  P.  M. ;  close  6  A.  M., 
6.45  p.  m. 

South — due  7.20  A.  m.,  5,  7.25  p.  M. ;  close  6  A.  M.,  5.30, 
9.20  p.m. 

Baltimore,  Md.— due  6.05  a.  m.,  2,  6,  9  p.  m.  ;  close  7, 10 
A.  M.,  12  m.,  8  p.  M. 

Georgetown — due  11.45  a.  m.,  4.45,  8,  10  p.  m.  ;  close  8 
A.M.,  2,  7  P.M. 

Alexandria— due  7.45  a.  m.,  7.20  p.  m.  ;  close  6  a.  m., 
5.30  p.  M. 

Foreign  Mails  are  forwarded  daily  to  ISTew  York  and 
San  Francisco. 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


xiii 


Bates  of  Postage.— Domestic. — Letters  to  any  part  of  the 
United  States,  3  cents  for  each  £  ounce  or  fraction  thereof. 
Letters  within  any  city,  2  cents  where  free  delivery ;  other 
offices,  1  cent.  Registered  Letters,  8  cents  registration  fee, 
in  addition  to  the  regular  postage.  At  least  one  full  rate 
must  be  paid  on  letters  to  secure  their  transmission.  Printed 
books,  package  limited  to  4  lbs.,  except  books  printed  by  or- 
der of  Congress,  2  cents  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof. 
Newspapers  and  magazines  1  cent  2  ounces.  All  transient 
matter  must  be  prepaid  in  full  by  stamps. 

Foreign. — The  frequent  changes  in  routes  and  rates  rend- 
ers it  advisable  to  omit  a  table  of  foreign  postages.  All  ne- 
cessary information  should  be  obtained  at  the  Post  Office. 

Money-Orders  and  Registered  Letters. — The  Mo- 
ney-Order and  Registered-Letter  Departments  are  open  from 
8a.m.  to  4  p.  m.  No  business  is  transacted  in  either  of  these 
departments  on  Sunday. 

Entrance  to  Money-Order  and  Registry  Departments,  from 
F  St.,  door  E.  of  delivery. 

Telegraph  Offices.— Automatic— Principal  office,  Saint 
Marc  Hotel,  Perm,  a  v. 

Franklin.— Principal  office,  609  Penn.  av. 

Western  Union.— Principal  office,  Penn.  av.  and  14th 
st.  W. 

Branch  Offices  will  be  found  in  all  the  principal  hotels, 
or  near  by,  and  in  the  Capitol. 

Churches. — The  following  list  of  places  of  religious  worship 
is  merely  designed  for  the  use  of  visitors  in  the  citjr,  and 
therefore  embraces  only  the  representative  churches  of  each 
denomination.  For  convenience  of  reference,  it  is  arranged 
alphabetically.  The  usual  hour  for  service  is  10.30  to  11  A. 
M.  and  7  to  8  p.  M.,  according  to  the  season  of  the  year. 

Baptist.— First,  13th  st.  W.,  bet.  G  and  H.  E-street,  E 
St.,  bet.  6th  and  7th  W.  Calvary,  H  and  8th  sts.  NW.  Shi- 
loh,  (Old  School,)  Mass.  av.,  bet.  9th  and  10th  sts.  W. 

Catholic,  Roman.— St.  Aloysius,  I  and  N.  Capitol  st. 
NW.  St.  Dominic's,  6th  and  F.  sts.  SW.  St.  Matthew's,  H 
and  15th  st.  NW.  St.  Patrick's,  10th  and  F  sts.,  (rebuilding.) 
St.  Stephen's,  Penn.  av.  and  25th  st.  NW. 

Christian.— First,  Vermont  av.,  above  1ST  st.  NW. 

Congregational— First,  10th  and  G  sts.  NW. 

Fpiscopal,  Protestant— Ascension,  H st., bet.  9th and 
10th  NW.  Epiphanjr,  G  St.,  bet.  13th  and  14th  NW.  Rock 
Creek,  near  Soldiers'  Home.    St.  John's,  16th  and  H  sts. 


xiv 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


NW.  St.  Paul's,  (Ritualistic)  23d  st.,  S.  of  Circle,  NW. 
Trinity,  3d  and  C  sts.  NW. 

Episcopal,  Methodist. — Foundry,  G  and  14th  sts.  NW. 
Hamline,  cor.  9th  and  P  sts.  NW.  McKendree,  Mass.  av., 
near  9th  st.  NW.  Metropolitan,  4J  and  C  sts.  NW.  Wesley 
Chapel,  5th  and  F  sts.  NW. 

Episcopal,  Methodist  South. — Mount  Vernon,  9th 
and  K  sts.  NW. 

Friends.— Orthodox,  13th,  bet.  R  and  S  sts.  NW.  Hick- 
site,  I  st.,  bet.  18th  and  19th  N W.  Meetings,  11  o'clock  a.  m. 

German  Reformed.— First,  6th  and  N  sts.  NW.  Ger- 
man service,  A.M. ;  English,  p.  M. 

Hebrew. — Washington  Hebrew  Congregation,  8th  st., 
bet.  H  and  I  NW.  Services  every  Friday  7  P.  M.,  and  Sab- 
bath (Saturday)  9  a.  m. 

Lutheran — Trinity,  (Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession,) 
E  and  4th  sts.  NW.  St.  Paul's,  H  and  11th  sts  NW.  Me- 
morial, N  and  14th  sts.  N. 

Methodist  Protestant.— 9th  st.,  bet.  E  and  F  NW. 

Presbyterian.— First,  4£  st.  NW.,  near  the  City  Hall. 
Fourth,  9th,  bet.  G  and  H  sts.  NW.  New-York  Avenue, 
New-York  av.,  bet.  13th  and  14th  NW. 

Unitarian.— D  and  6th  sts.  NW. 

Universalist. — Masonic  Hall,  F  and  9th  sts.  NW. 

Colored  Churches. — Baptist,  First,  I  and  19th  sts.  NW. 
Catholic,  Roman,  St.  Martin's,  loth  st.,  near  L  NW.  Epis- 
copal, St.  Mary's,  23d  St.,  bet.  G  and  H  NW.  Methodist, 
Asbury,  K  and  11th  sts.  NW.  Presbyterian,  15th,  bet.  I  and 
K  sts.  NW. 

Theatres. — The  best  places  of  amusement  in  the  city  are 
Forces  Opera  Rouse,  on  9th  st.  W.,  immediately  S.  of  Penn- 
sylvania av.,  and  the  National  Theatre,  on  E  st.  N.,  bet.  13th 
and  14th  sts.  NW.  Here  the  standard  comedies  and  trage- 
dies and  plays  of  the  day  are  performed  by  excellent  stock 
companies  during  the  winter  season,  varied  at  intervals  by 
Italian,  German,  or  English  opera,  and  the  presence  of  the- 
atrical "  stars." 

General  Amusements.— Concerts  and  lectures  take  place 
almost  every  night,  and  will  afford  recreation  for  those  who 
prefer  this  character  of  entertainment. - 

Etiquette,  Ceremonies,  and  Formalities. — The  population 

of  Washington  is  divided  into  two  classes  :  official  and  unoffi- 
cial, and  society  admits  of  the  same  classification.  The  first 
includes  those  actively  associated  with  the  various  branches 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


XV 


and  departments  of  the  Government  and  retired  officers  of 
the  Army  and  Navy  and  families.  The  second  includes  resi- 
dents in  the  capital  not  in  official  employment,  and  visitors. 

The  Season. — The  fashionable  season  commences  with 
the  New  Year's  receptions,  and  ends  with  the  beginning  of 
Lent.  During  this  period  life  at  the  capital  is  extremely  gay. 
The  congressional  season  begins  on  the  first  Monday  in  De- 
cember of  each  year,  and,  with  a  recess  during  the  Christmas 
holidays,  lasts  till  March  4  in  the  odd  years  and  until  June  or 
July  in  the  even  years.  During  the  months  of  July,  August, 
and  September,  the  prominent  officials  and  residents  leave  the 
capital  for  places  of  summer  resort. 

Receptions. — The  reception  season  begins  on  New  Year's 
day  and  lasts  till  the  beginning  of  Lent.  The  clays  for  after- 
noon receptions  are  arranged  among  the  ladies  of  the  families 
of  the  President,  Cabinet  Ministers,  and  Governor  of  the  Dis- 
trict. The  announcements  are  made  daily  during  the  season 
in  the  newspapers.  Hours,  afternoon,  2  to  5  p.  m. ;  evening, 
8  to  11  p.  m.  Afternoon  receptions  are  open  to  all.  Evening 
receptions  are  by  card,  unless  otherwise  announced  in  the  daily 
newspapers. 

Titles — The  following  are  the  forms  of  address  used  in 
conversation  with  certain  officials,  viz  :  Mr.  President ;  to 
members  of  the  Cabinet,  Mr.  Secretary,  Mr.  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral, Mr.  Attorney  General ;  Mr.  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Vice  Presi- 
dent, Mr.  Senator,  Mr.  Speaker,  Mr.  Justice,  for  associates  of 

the  Supreme  Court,  and  Mr.  ,  for  Representatives.  The 

latter  frequently  have  titles,  as  Judge,  &c.  Official  commu- 
nications should  be  addressed,  44  To  the  President,  44  To  the 
Chief  Justice,"  and  all  others  44  To  the  Honorable,  the  Sec- 
retary of  State,"  &c,  or  44  The  Honorable  D.  W.,  Secretary  of 
State;"  and  to  members  of  Congress,  Honorable,  with  the 
name.    The  form  customary  for  ladies  of  officials,  is  Mrs. 

President  ;  Mrs.  General  ;  Mrs.  Secretary,  &c.  The 

following  form  of  address  for  certain  officers  would  be  better 
than  those  now  in  vogue :  For  the  Secretary  of  State,  The 
Premier;  other  members  of  the  Cabinet,  Mr.  Minister. 

Cards. — Whenever  a  visit  is  made  or  reception  attended, 
a  card,  containing  the  name  and  residence  in  the  city,  should 
be  sent  in,  or  left  with  the  usher,  or  in  the  receiver  in  the 
hall.  Cards  left  at  afternoon  receptions  are  generally  recog- 
nized by  cards  to  evening  receptions.  Cards  are  generally 
issued  to  all  evening  receptions,  except  those  of  the  President 
and  Speaker  of  the'  House  of  Representatives,  and  sometimes 
the  General  of  the  Army.  In  private  calls,  if  the  person 
called  upon  be  out,  turn  down  the  right  upper  corner  of  the 
card,  to  indicate  that  called  in  person ;  if  the  call  be  upon 


xvi 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


the  family,  under  the  same  circumstances,  turn  down  the 
right  end.  In  making  a  farewell  call,  place  P.  P.  C.  on  the 
lower  edge  of  the  card. 

A  stranger,  in  calling  upon  officials,  or  at  receptions,  should, 
if  his  name  be  not  announced  by  an  usher  or  by  card,  men- 
tion it  himself,  so  as  to  prevent  embarrassment. 

Invitations. — In  all  cases,  invitations  to  dinner  should 
be  promptly  accepted  or  declined.  It  is  not  obligatory  to 
respond  to  invitations  to  evening  entertainments,  unless  re- 
quired in  the  letters  R.  S.  V.  P.,  though  it  is  proper  to  recog- 
nize them  formally.    Invitations  to  evening  receptions  do 

not  require  a  reply.  The  general  form  of  reply  is  :  Mr.  S  

presents  his  compliments  to  Secretary  ,  and  accepts  with 

pleasure  his  invitation  to  dinner  Thursday  evening.  Mon- 
day, Dec.  — ,  187 — .  The  form  is. the  same,  with  adaptation, 
for  evening  entertainments. 

Calls. — The  ladies  of  officials  return  calls.  The  President 
and  wife  are  not  required  to  return  calls ;  other  members  of 
the  family  can.  The  lower  officials  should  always  call  first 
upon  the  higher;  and  ladies  the  same ;  hours  2  to  5  p.  m. 
Evening  calls  only  allowed  for  social  acquaintances.  The 
first  visit  received  should  be  returned  in  three  days.  Stran- 
gers, desiring  to  pay  respects  to  any  officials,  can  do  so  with 
propriety  during  office  hours,  sending  in  a  card,  marked  "to 
pay  respects,"  by  the  usher. 

Dress. — For  visiting  and  at  all  afternoon  receptions  such 
dress  for  ladies  and  gentlemen  as  is  recognized  in  good  soci- 
ety for  morning  calls  should  be  worn.  At  all  evening  recep- 
tions and  dinner  parties,  full  evening  dress  for  ladies  and 
gentlemen  should  be  strictly  observed ;  consisting,  for  gen- 
tlemen, of  black  dress-coat  and  pantaloons,  white  neck-tie, 
and  light  gloves. 

The  President. — Cabinet  days,  Tuesdays  and  Fridays, 
hours  of  meeting  12  M.  Business  hours  :  During  the  session 
of  Congress,  the  President  receives  Senators  and  Kepresen- 
tatives  from  10  A.  M.  to  12  m.  every  day,  except  Sunday,  and 
the  public,  by  card  through  the  usher  in  the  ante-room,  from 
12  M.  till  3  P.  M.,  except  on  Cabinet  days  and  Sundays.  The 
number  admitted  during  hours  is  governed  entirely  by  the 
time  the  President  can  spare  from  his  public  duties.  Persons 
desiring  to  pay  their  respects  only,  should  note  "to pay  res- 
pects"  on  their  cards,  and  call  the  attention  of  the  officer  in 
in  the  ante-room  thereto.  During  the  adjournment  of  Con- 
gress, the  President,  when  not  absent  from  the  Capital,  usu- 
ally receives  in  the  morning  from  10  A.  M.  to  12  M. 

The  President  and  family  receive  socially  in  the  evening. 


GENERAL  INFORMATICS. 


xvii 


These  visits,  however,  are  only  made  by  those  warranted  by 
their  acquaintance  to  call  upon  them. 

Diplomatic  representatives  of  foreign  governments,  upon 
their  first  arrival  at  the  Capital,  are  presented  in  the  Blue- 
Room,  at  a  time  fixed  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  with  the 
consent  of  the  President.  The  ceremony  of  presentation 
consists  of  an  address  by  the  Minister,  and  a  reply  by  the 
President. 

The  President's  levees  are  announced  through  the  press. 
No  further  invitation  is  necessary,  and*  all  strangers  at  the 
Capital  are  at  liberty  to  call.  The  hours  are  usually  from  8 
to  10  p.m.  Music  by  the  Marine  Band.  Iso  dress  is  pre- 
scribed, though  it  is  eminently  proper  to  appear  in  the  even- 
ing dress  dictated  by  good  society.  Enter  by  the  door, 
where  the  ushers  will  direct  to  the  cloak  rooms.  Then  enter 
the  Red,  and  pass  into  the  Blue-Room,  where  the  President 
receives.  Announce  name  to  the  Marshal  of  the  District, 
who  presents  to  the  President.  The  Engineer  in  charge  of 
Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  presents  to  the  wife  of  the 
President.  After  paying  respects,  in  order  to  make  room 
for  others,  it  is  advisable  to  pass  out  at  once  into  the  Green 
and  thence  into  the  East-Room. 

The  afternoon  receptions  at  the  President's  House  are  al- 
ways held  by  the  wife  of  the  President,  on  such  days  as  she 
may  select.  She  is  assisted  by  such  ladies  as  she  may  invite, 
generally  selected  in  alphabetical  order  from  the  wives  of 
Senators  and  Members,  who,  by  their  official  positions,  are 
entitled  to  such  consideration,  and  any  friend.  Hours,  2  to 
5  p.  m.  ISTo  invitations.  Visitors  in  the  city  are  at  liberty 
to  attend.  The  President,  after  office  hours,  often  assists. 
Presentations  are  made  in  the  Blue  Room  by  the  Engineer 
in  charge  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds.  Approach  as 
in  levees,  except  that  it  is  customary  to  leave  a  card  at  the 
door.  Enter  the  Red  Room.  Dress  the  same  as  recognized 
by  good  society  as  suitable  for  morning  calls.  These  recep- 
tions afford  an  excellent  opportunity  to  strangers  at  the  Cap- 
ital to  view  the  suits  of  parlors,  state  dining  room,  and  con- 
servatories. The  latter  are  open  to  the  public  only  on  these 
occasions.  After  leaving  the  Blue  Room,  pass  into  the  Green 
and  East  Rooms.  The  corridor  which  leads  from  the  East 
Room  extends  to  the  conservatories  on  the  W.  end.  The 
President,  during  the  winter,  gives  state  dinners,  to  which 
thirty-six  invitations  at  a  time  are  issued,  and  comprise  Sen- 
ators and  Representatives,  selected  alphabetically.  Their 
wives  are  also  included.  The  President  also  invites  promi- 
nent officers  of  the  Government  in  recognized  order. 

On  New  Year's  day  the  President  receives  in  the  following 


xviii 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


order :  Members  of  the  Cabinet  and  Foreign  Ministers ; 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States;  Senators 
and  Kepresentatives  in  Congress ;  the  Governor  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  suite;  judges  of  the  courts  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  of  the  United  States  Court  of  Claims ; 
officers  of  the  army  and  navy ;  Assistant  Secretaries  of  depart- 
ments; Solicitor  General ;  associations  and  the  public. 

Chief  Justice  and  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.— La- 
dies receive  on  Monday.  Return  visits.  First  call  must  be 
made  upon  them. 

Speaker's  receptions  are  announced  in  the  newspapers. 

Generax.  of  the  Army. — Reception  of  lady,  Mondays. 
Expect  the  first  call.  The  General's  receptions  are  by  card, 
unless  otherwise  announced  in  the  newspapers. 

Admiral  of  the  Navy. — Same  as  for  General  of  the 
Army,  except  evening  receptions  always  by  card. 

The  Cabinet. — The  ladies  of  Cabinet  Ministers  usually 
receive  on  Wednesdays,  at  which  time  visitors  in  the  city  are 
at  liberty  to  call,  leave  cards  with  and  give  names  to  the  usher 
at  the  door.  Evening  receptions  by  card  are  given  by  Cabi- 
net Ministers.  The  ladies  of  the  Cabinet  return  visits.  The 
first  call  must  be  made  upon  them. 

Senators  and  Representatives. — Ladies  receive  on 
Thursdays.    Calls  must  be  first  made  upon  them. 

Governor  of  the  District. — Afternoon  receptions  of 
ladies  announced  in  the  newspapers.  Open  to  all.  Evening 
by  card.    First  call  must  be  made. 

Diplomatic  Corps. — Invitations  are  issued  to  all  enter- 
tainments. Receive  calls  first.  There  are  also  diplomatic 
evenings  for  members  of  the  corps  and  families,  and  such 
others  as  the  lady  personally  invites. 

Residents.— The  ladies  of  the  families  of  residents  at  the 
capital  not  in  official  life,  call  first.  Their  days  at  home  are 
generally  marked  on  their  cards. 

Social  precedence. — 1,  The  President;  2,  the  Chief 
Justice ;  3,  the  Vice  President ;  4,  the  Speaker ;  5,  the  Gen- 
eral of  the  Army ;  6,  the  Admiral  of  the  Navy ;  7,  the  Cabi- 
net, Secretary  of  State,  Treasury,  War,  Navy,  Postmaster 
General,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  and  Attorney  General ;  8, 
Senators ;  9,  Associate  Justices ;  10,  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress; and,  11,  Governor  of  the  District. 

Remarks. — General  Jackson  first  introduced  bad  manners 
into  the  society  of  the  President's  House.  The  President,  by 
virtue  of  his  office,  of  a  right  occupies  the  highest  social  posi- 
tion in  the  land,  and  the  observance  of  the  formalities  which 
are  recognized  in  the  surroundings  of  any  American  gentle- 
man's home  should  be  accorded  to  the  home  of  the  President. 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


xix 


Distances  from  Washington. 


Capitals  of  States  or  Territories  are  in  capital  letters. 


MILES. 

Albany,  N.  Y   374 

Albuquerque,  N.M..215G 

Alexandria,  Va   7 

Annapolis,  Md   42 

Atlanta,  Ga   721 

Augusta.  Me   631 

Austin,  Texas  1781 

Baltimore,  Md   40 

Boise  City,  Idaho. ..26G7 

Boston,  Mass   458 

Brownsville,  Tex... 1946 

Buffalo,  N.  Y   446 

Cairo,  Illinois   977 

Carson  City,  Nev...2950 

Charleston,  S.  C   587 

Cheyenne,  Wy.  T.-1850 

Chicago,  111   842 

Cincinnati,  Ohio....  611 

Columbia,  S.  C  519 

Columbus,  Ohio   535 

Concord,  N.  H   503 

Deer  LoDGE.Mon.T.2700 

Denver,  Col.  T  1950 

Desmoines,  Iowa  1162 

Detroit,  Mich   692 

Dover.  Del.   159 

Duluth,  Minn  1437 

Erie,  Pa   466 

Fort  Abercrombie,1507 
Fort  Benton,  M.T..3130 
FortBerthold,  D.T.2186 
Fort  Bliss, Tex  ....  2523 
Fort  Boise,  Idaho.,2669 


MILES. 

Belize  1410 

Berlin  3840 

Buenos  Ayres  4870 

Calcutta  8580 

Callao  3168 

Caracas  1830 

Cape  Good  Hope. ...7380 

Cape  Horn  6450 

Chuquisaca  3670 

Constantinople  4870 

Georgetown,  Br.  G.2230 
Havana  1250 


MILES. 

Fort  Bridger,Wy.T.2349 
Fort  Dodge,  Kan... 1586 

Fort  Fetterman  1984 

Fort  Gibson,Ch.Na.l387 

Fort  Hays,  Kan  1525 

Fort  Klamath,  Ore.3320 
Fort  Laramie,  VV.T.1906 
Fort  Leavenworth. .1263 
Fort  Randall,  D.  T.1535 
Fort  Smith,  Ark. ...1307 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind...  694 

Fort  Yuma,  Cal  3881 

Frankfort,  Ky   731 

Galveston,  Texas. ..1556 

Harrisburg,  Pa   125 

Hartford,  Conn   342 

Indianapolis,  Ind...  715 

Jackson,  Miss  10S2 

Jefferson  City,  Mo.1077 
Kansas  City,  Mo. ...1234 

Lansing,  Mich   742 

Leavenworth,  Kan.1260 
Little  Rock,  Ark. ..1115 

Louisville,  Ky   720 

Madison, Wis   974 

Memphis,  Tenn   934 

Milledgeville,  Ga..  698 

Milwaukee,  Wis   927 

Mobile,  Ala  1082 

Montgomery,  Ala....  896 

Montpelier,  Vt   556 

Nashville.  Tenn....  775 
New  Haven,  Conn..  307 


MILES. 

Honolulu  4650 

Jerusalem  5490 

Lima  3180 

Lisbon  3180 

London  3300 

Mexico  1680 

Nicaragua  1740 

Panama  1840 

Paris  3480 

Pekin..  7G80 

Rio  de  Janeiro  4300 


MILES. 


New  Orleans,  La. ...1250 

New  York,  N.  Y   229 

Norfolk,  Va   233 

Olympia,  Wash.  T...3982 

Omaha,  Neb  1298 

Pensacola,  Fla  1050 

Philadelphia,  Pa....  139 

Pittsburg,  Pa   374 

Portland,  Ore  3952 

Providence,  R.  1   419 

Raleigh,  N.  C  313 

Richmond,  Va   130 

Sacramento,  Cal  3072 

Saint  Louis,  Mo   952 

Saint  Paul,  Minn.,1285 

Salem,  Ore  3834 

Salt  Lake  City  U.T.2464 


San  Francisco, Cal. 3155 
San  Juan  Is.,  W.  T.4047 
Santa  Fe,  N.  Mex...2093 


Savannah,  Ga   691 

Tahlequah,  Ind.  T..1300 

Sitka,  Alaska..,  4535 

Springfield,  111   928 

Tallahassee,  Fla   953 

Topeka,  Kan  1302 

Trenton,  N.  J   170 

Tucson,  Ar.  T  2628 


Vancouver,  W.  T...3970 
Virginia  Citv,  M.T.2687 
Wheeling,  W.  Va....  401 
Wilmington,  Del...  Ill 


Yankton,  D.  T  1449 


miles. 

Rome  4080 

San  Domingo  1300 

San  Juan  1380 

San  Salvador  1650 

Santiago,  Chili  4700 

Spanishtown,  Jam.,1290 

St.  Petersburg  4290 

Sydney,  Aus  9150 

Tehauntepec.  1620 

Vera  Cruz  1560 

Vienna  4110 


Foreign  Distances,  air-Line,  from  Washington,  to 


XX 


GENERAL  INFORMATION. 


Differences  of  Time. 

Table  showing  the  mean  time  at  39  places  in  the  United  States 
and  Foreign  Countries,  u  hen  it  is  mean  noon  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  United  States  of  America. 

*  Signifies  forenoon  and  f  afternoon.  Time  computed  from  the  ob- 
servatories of  all  places  marked  (o.) 


h. 

m. 

s. 

Albany,  N.  Y  

(o) 

f 

0 

13 

13 

Alexandria,  Egypt. 

f 

7 

7 

44 

Astoria,  Oregon  

$ 

8 

52 

57 

X 

I 

() 

23 

52 

0 

1 

45 

Berlin,  Prussia  

(o) 

1 

6 

1 

40 

t 

0 

23 

58 

Cambridge,  Mass... 

(o) 

t 

0 

23 

42 

Canton,  China  

0 

41 

18 

Charleston,  S.  C  

* 

11 

48 

30 

* 

11 

17 

41 

Cincinnati,  Ohio.... 

* 

11 

30 

13 

Detroit,  Michigan- 

11 

36 

2 

Greenwich,  Eng.... 

•(o) 

t 

5 

8 

11 

Honolulu,  S.  I  

6 

36 

44 

* 

2 

28 

12 

Leavenworth,  Kan. 

10 

49 

16 

* 

11 

59 

41 

(0) 

f 

4 

56 

11 

(o) 

t 

5 

12 

h. 

m. 

s. 

Louisville,  Ky  

t  11 

26 

12 

Melbourne,  Aus'lia 

* 

2 

48 

5 

Memphis,  Tenn  

Mexico,  Mex   

* 

11 

7 

40 

* 

10 

31 

50 

* 

11 

16 

35 

Mobile,  Alabama... 

* 

11 

16 

6 

Montreal,  C.  E  

f 

0 

14 

0 

Moscow,  Russia  

New  Orleans,  La.... 

(o)  t 

7 

38 

28 

* 

11 

8 

12 

New  York,  N.  Y  

t 

0 

12 

12 

11 

50 

15 

(o)  t 

5 

17 

33 

Philadelphia,  Pa.... 

(o)  f 

0 

7 

34 

Salt  Lake,  Utah  

(o)  t 

* 

5 

58 

6 

9 

39 

48 

San  Francisco,  Cal. 

* 

8 

58 

25 

St.  Louis,  Mo  

* 

11 

7 

11 

(o)  t 

6 

13 

44 

Washington,  D.  C... 

(o) 

0 

0 

0 

SECTION  I. 
WASHINGTON  AND  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA, 


WASHINGTON. 

HE  Seat  of  Government  of  the  United  States 
j§gf?gr  of  America  has  been  appropriately  called  "the 
Virgin  Capital."  A  territory  under  the  exclusive 
jurisdiction  of  Congress  had  early  received  the  atten- 
tion of  the  legislators  of  the  new  Republic;  indeed, 
before  the  clamor  of  war  had  fairly  ceased,  or  the 
royal  standard  of  England  had  left  its  shores.  The  posses- 
sion of  such  a  territory  was  an  important  feature  in  the  de- 
bates upon  the  framing  of  the  Constitution ;  and  it  was  pre- 
cisely forty-eight  days  after  the  last  act  of  ratification,  that 
the  Federal  City  of  the  American  Republic  was  by  solemn  en- 
actment of  the  young  Congress  of  the  Thirteen  Free  and  Inde- 
pendent States  located  on  the  beautiful  eastern  shore  of  the 
broad  Potomac.  It  might  be  added,  that  not  only  is  Washing- 
ton the  only  virgin  capital  in  the  world,  but  its  foundation  was 
simultaneous  with  the  inauguration  of  the  permanent  form  of 
government  of  the  nation.  Of  being  synchronous  it  lacked  less 
than  two  years.  The  idea  and  the  execution  were  essentially 
American.  It  wras  founded  as  the  Capital  of  the  Republic.  It 
sprang  out  of  the  virgin  soil,  and  its  growth  and  magnificence 
were  to  be  measured  by  the  progress  and  taste  of  the  people 
who  constituted  the  Government  of  which  it  was  to  be  the 
political  head  and  centre  and  the  permanent  residence. 

Among  the  capitals  of  the  great  nations  of  modern  times, 
in  this  particular  Washington  stands  alone.  St.  Petersburg, 
now  the  seat  of  the  imperial  residence  of  the  Autocrat  of  all 
the  Russias,  rose  out  of  the  morasses  of  the  Neva  at  the  will 
of  the  great  Peter.  It  was  long  what  its  founder  called  it,  a 
look-out  upon  Europe,  before  the  ancient  capital  of  the  Czars, 
in  the  fertile  Moskva,,  left  the  sheltering  walls  of  the  Krem- 
lin for  the  banks  of  the  Neva.  Versailles,  the  queen  of  royal 
residences,  sprang  from  a  favorite  hunting  lodge  of  Louis 
XIII.    A  monarch  like  his  successor  was  alone  capable  of  an 


2 


GEOGRAPHICAL  LOCATION. 


exhibition  of  extravagance  such  as  this.  The  genius  of  Le 
Brun  and  Le  Notre,  and  the  expenditure  of  two  hundred 
millions  of  dollars,  did  not  make  Versailles  a  capital.  Its 
name  and  its  associations  are  synonymous  with  the  reckless- 
ness of  a  luxurious  and  dissolute  court.  Rome,  the  city  of 
over  twenty-six  centuries,  was  government  and  capital ,  when 
Romulus,  with  his  handful  of  Latins  on  the  western  slope  of 
the  Palatine  ;  Tatius,  with  his  Sabiues  on  the  Capitoliue  and 
the  Quirinal ;  and  the  Etruscans  on  the  Cselian  and  Esquiline, 
gathered  around  the  forum,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  that 
career  of  greatness  and  power,  which  justly  earned  the  proud 
title  of  Mistress  of  the  World.  But  republican  Rome  ros^ 
on  the  ruins  of  the  earlier  kingdom  of  the  Tarquins.  impe- 
rial Rome  superseded  the  colossal  fabric  of  the  Republic  of 
the  Consuls,  the  Tribunes,  and  the  Triumvirs.  Pontifical 
Rome  reared  herself  upon  the  crumbled  throne  of  the  Impe- 
rial Caesars.  The  Rome  of  to-day,  the  capital  of  United 
Italy,  therefore,  may  well  be  said  to  be  the  mother,  while 
Washington  is  the  maiden,  of  capitals. 

Geographical  Location.— Washington  the  Federal,  or  Capi- 
tal City  of  the  United  States  of  America,  is  situated  on  the 
left  or  eastern  bank  of  the  Potomac  River,  between  the 
Anacostia,  or  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac,  and  Rock 
Creek,  106 h  m.  (statute)  above  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac 
River,  by  ship  channel,  from  abreast  the  red  buoy  off  Point 
Lookout  to  Arsenal  or  Geenleafs  Point,  and  185 J  m.  from 
the  buoy  1J  m.  NE.  of  Cape  Henry  light,  mouth  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay.  The  distance  by  air  line  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Potomac  River  is  69  m.,  and  to  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake 
Bay  143  m.  The  distance  from  the  Capitol  by  air  line  to 
the  sea-coast,  just  below  Cape  Henlopen,  the  nearest  point, 
is  105  m. ;  and  to  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  available  for  vessels 
of  war,  Patuxent  River,  53  m. ;  Annapolis  38 J  m.,  and 
Herring  ~Bny  39  in. 

The  latitude  of  Washington  (capitol)  is  38°  52'  20r/  north,  long- 
itude 76°  55/  30/7  .54  west  of  Greenwich,  and  79°  15'  41"  .69 
west  of  Paris,  both  ascertained  in  1821,  under  authority  of 
Congress,  by  William  Lambert  of  Virginia. 

The  site  of  the  city  and  the  location  of  the  public  reservations,  squares,  Cap- 
itol and  President's  House,  were  selected  by  President  Washington.    The  only 

direct  reference  to  the  location  of  the  public  buildings  within  the  limits  of  the 
►territory  then  accepted,  was  contained  in  a  proviso  in  the  amendatory  act  of 

Congress,  approved  March  30,  1791,  requiring  their  erection  on  the  Maryland 
•side  of  the  Potomac.    When  the  city  was  located,  the  northern  limit  of  the 

United  States  was  lat.  46°  N.  and  the  southern  310  N.,  placing  Washington  but 
■  23  mm.  or  geographical  miles  south  of  the  centre  along  the  Atlantic  Coast. 
(The  centre  is  now  in  the  vicinity  of  Newberne,  North  Carolina,  or  233  miles  S. 

Another  important  consideration  in  those  primitive  days  was  the  fact,  that  on 


4 


ARE  \. 


no  part  of  the  coast,  within  the  b  ran  Is  of  ru  country,  w.vs  there  accessible  to 
sea-going  vessels  a  port  situated  so  far  inland 

The  distances  from  the  National  Capitol  to  the  remote  points  within  the  vast 
domain  now  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  republic,  indicate  the  wonderful  ex- 
tension of  area  attained  by  conquest  and  purchase  during  the  first  century  of 
growth,  viz  To  the  north-eastern  boundary  on  New  Brunswick,  750  miles  ; 
Rouse's  Point,  northern  boundary,  598  miles ;  Cape  Flattery,  the  extreme 
north-western  b  >undary,  on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  4102  miles  ,  Sitka,  the  capital 
of  the  Alaskan  Possessions,  4535  miles  ;  to  San  Francisco,  western  boundary, 
on  the  Pacific  Ocean,  3155  miles;  Key  West,  Florida,  1494  miles  ;  Brownsville* 
Texas,  the  Mexican  frontier,  1946  miles.  [For  table  of  distances  from  Wash- 
ington to  the  principal  cities  of  the  United  States  and  the  world,  see  General 
Information.} 

Area. — The  plot  of  the  cit}r  lies  on  the  W.  side  of  the 
tract,  64  sq.  m.,  within  the  present  borders  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  is  14  m.  in  circumference.  It  covers  6,111  a., 
or  a  little  over  sq.  m.  The  avenues,  streets,  and  spaces 
comprise  2,554  a. ;  the  Government  reservations,  as  origi- 
nally laid  out,  541  a.,  and  squares  3,016  a.  The  greatest 
length  is  from  W.  to  S.  of  E. ;  or  from  Rock  Creek,  between 
I  and  K  sts.  W.,  to  the  bank  of  the  Anacostia,  at  24th  st.  E., 
on  B  st.  S.,  4.57  m.  The  earlier  plot  is  extended  to  31st 
st.  E.  ;  but  the  7  additional  streets  and  squares  are  subject 
to  tidal  inundation,  and  are  generally  excluded  from  the 
later  maps.  The  greatest  breadth  of  the  city  is  W.  of  X., 
from  Greenleaf  Point,  at  the  foot  of  the  Arsenal  Grounds,  to 
Boundary,  at  11  St.  W.,  3.78  m.  The  mean  width  from  E. 
to  W.  is  over  4  m.,  and  length  m.  The  city  lies  4  m. 
along  the  Potomac  and  about  3}  m.  along  the  Anacostia. 

The  following  is  a  comparison  of  the  geographical  location,  area  and  popula- 
tion of  Washington  with  the  leading  capitals  of  Europe  :  Washington.  —  Lat. 
38°  52'  20"  N.  On  Potomac  Hiver,  106^  m.  from  its  mouth.  Area  9^  sq.  m  , 
and  14  111.  in  circuit.  Population,  1870,  109,199.  London. — Lat.  (St.  Paul's), 
510  30  48"  N.  On  Thames  River,  50  m.  from  its  mouth,  Area  of  old  city  1 
sq.  m.  With  city  and  liberty  of  Westminster  and  5  boroughs,  31,313  sq.  m. 
Population,  1870,  3,215,000.  Paris. — Lat.  48°  50'  12"  N.  On  the  Seine  River, 
110  m  from  its  m  >uth.  Area  14  sq.m.  Population,  1871,  1,950,000.  Berlin. 
— Lat.  520  30'  16''  N.  On  Spree  River.  Area  6,800  a.,  and  10  m.  in  circuit. 
Population,  820,000.  St.  Petersburg. — Lat.  590  56'  N.  On  the  Neva  River, 
near  its  mouth.  Area  6  m.  in  length  and  5  in  width.  Population.  667,000. 
Vienna. — Lat.  480  12'  N.  On  the  Wein  River,  near  the  Danube.  Circuit  15 
m.  Population,  1872,  640,000.  Rome.— Lat  410  54'  06"  N.  On  the  Tiber 
River,  17  m.  from  its  mouth.    Circuit  12  m.    Population,  1872,  247,497. 

Government. — The  municipal  form  of  1801,  with  amend- 
ments at  various  times,  continued  for  nearly  three-quarters 
of  a  century.  In  1871  it  was  superseded  by  the  territorial 
form,  which  was  abolished  by  Act  of  Congress,  June  20, 
1874,  and  a  government  of  three  commissioners  substituted. 
(See  Government,  District  of  Columbia.) 


Finances.  —  (See  District  of  Columbia.) 


GEOGRAPHICAL  SITUATION. 


5 


Population. — The  population  of  the  city,  hv  decades,  si  nce 
its  foundation,  was  1800,  3.210;  1810,  8,208;  1820,  13,247: 
1830,  18,826;  1840/  23,364;  1850,  40,001;  1860,  61,122;  1870, 
109,199.  In  1870,  white,  73,731 ;  colored,  35,455  ;  Indian,  13. 
Born  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  42,694 ;  in  other  States, 
52,748;  in  foreign  countries,  13,757,  viz:  Ireland,  6,948; 
Germany,  4,133;  England,  1,235;  Scotland,  299;  British 
America,  239  ;  Italy,  17o  ;  Switzerland,  146  ;  all  other  foreign 
countries,  582. 

Miscellaneous  Statistics.— Size,  12  in  population ;  families. 
21,343;  persons  to  a  family,  5.12;  dwellings,  Ko.,  19,545; 
persons  to  each,  5.59,  Persons  in  each  class  of  occupations, 
41,188  :  agriculture,  284;  personal  and  professional  services. 
*<*6,109:  male,  15,596;  female,  10,513;  trade  and  transport- 
ation, 5,296 ;  manufactures,  mechanical,  and  mining:  indus- 
-ries,  9,499. 


DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


The  Federal  Territory,  or  District  of  Columbia,  is  situ- 
ated on  the  left  or  E.  bank  of  the  Potomac  River,  at  the 
confluence  of  the  Anacostia  or  Eastern  Branch  of  that 
stream. 

Boundaries. —The  District  of  Columbia  comprises  64 
square  miles.  It  lies  entirely  within  the  State  of  Maryland, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Montgomery  county,  on 
the  east  and  south  by  Prince  George  county,  and  west  by 
the  Potomac  River. 

The  Federal  territory  as  originally  located  by  President  Washington,  under 
authority  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  national  and  state  legis- 
lation, formed  a  square  of  10  miles  (100  sq.  m.).  The  bounds  were  proclaimed 
by  the  President  March  33,  1791.  On  Friday,  April  15,  of  the  same  year,  at 
3  P.  M.,  the  municipal  authorities  of  Alexandria,  Virginia,  repaired  to  the 
house  in  which  the  commissioners  of  Washington  were  residing,  and  after  uni- 
ting with  them  in  a  glass  of  wine,  to  the  sentiment  *k  May  the  stone  which  we 
are  about  to  place  in  the  ground  remain  an  immovable  monument  of  the  wis- 
dom and  unanimity  of  North  America,"  the  company  proceeded  to  Jones' 
Point,  or  the  upper  cape  which  projects  into  the  Potomac  River  on  the  Vir- 
ginia side  or  right  bank,  at  the  confluence  of  Hunting  Creek,  then  1  mile  E.  of 
S.  of  the  Court  House  of  Alexandria,  in  the  following  ordei  :  Town  Sergeant; 
Daniel  Carroll,  Commissioner,  and  the  Mayor  of  Alexandria;  Andrew  Ellicott, 
Surveyor  and  the  Recorder ;  the  Aldermen  and  Common  Council,  not  Free 
Masons;  strangers,  Master  of  Lodge  No.  22,  F.  A.  M.  of  Alexandria,  with 
David  Stewart,  Commissioner,  on  his  right,  and  James  Muir,  Pastor  of  that 
Episcopal  parish  on  his  left,  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  fraternity  and  citizens. 


6 


GOVERNMENT. 


Ellicott,  "  Geographer  General,"  then  ascertained  the  precise  location  on 
Jones'  Point,  as  defined  by  the  President's  proclamation,  whereupon  the  Mas- 
ter of  the  Lodge  au  1  Dr.  Stewart,  aided  by  the  craft,  planted  the  initial  or 
corner-stone  of  the  Federal  Territory,  in  accordance  with  the  impressive  rites 
of  Masonry.  The  Rev.  James  Muir  delivered  arfaddress.  After  partaking  of 
refreshments,  the  procession  returned  to  the  city,  and  closed  the  ceremonies  of 
the  day  with  a  banquet  and  appropriate  toasts  and  speeches.  From  this  initial 
stone  Mr.  Ellicott,  during  the  ensuing  year,  laid  down  the  lines  ot  boundary  as 
directed  by  the  President's  proclamation.  The  first  at  an  angle  of  450  W.  of 
N.,  a  distance  of  10  m  ,  into  the  State  of  Virginia  ;  the  second  also  starting  at 
the  initial  point,  at  a  right  angle  with  the  first,  or  N.  E.,  across  the  Potomac, 
10  m.,  into  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  the  remaining  two  lines  from  the  ter- 
mini of  the  first  two  and  at  right  angles  with  them,  respectively,  N.  E.  and 
\T.  W.,  until  they  met  each  other  in  a  point.  The  original  Territory,  it  will  be 
fceen,  stood  diagonally,  each  angle  facing  one  of  the  cardinal  points  of  the  com- 
pass. The  N.  point,  as  originally  laid  out,  is  %  m.  due  W.  of  Silver  Spring, 
.vtd. ;  the  E.  Point  2^  m.  S.  of  E.  of  Benning's  Bridge,  on  the  Anacostia  ;  the 
S.  or  initial  point  at  the  N.  cape  of  Hunting  Creek,  called  Jones'  Point ;  and 
the  W.  point  near  the  source  of  Four-mile  Run,  in  Virginia.  The  centre  of  the 
original  Territory  is  marked  by  a  gray  free-stone,  about  100  yds.  W.  of  the 
Washington  Monument  and  on  a  line  almost  due  S.  from  the  President's 
House,  at  a  distance  of  about  x/2  m. 

The  lines  were  marked  by  square  mile  stones,  with  appropriate  inscriptions 
on  the  side  facing  the  territory,  "Jurisdiction  of  the  United  States 
facing  the  State,  "  Virginia,"  or  "  Maryland,"  according  to  location;  facing 
the  North  4fc  1792,"  the  year  in  which  planted  ;  and  facing  the  South,  the  po- 
sition of  the  Magnetic  Needle.  Many  of  these  stones  are  doubtless  still  standing, 
but  lost  sight  of  amid  the  accumulations  of  decayed  vegetation.  It  has  been 
wisely  suggested  that  the  Government  should  define  the  lines  of  the  Federal 
Territory  of  this  now  mighty  Republic  by  tablets,  columns  and  other  marks, 
worthy  and  commemorative  of  its  greatness.  Shortly  after  the  District  was  laid 
out  this  was  seriously  considered.  It  was  proposed  to  build  a  great  Fort  at 
Jones'  Point,  on  the  site  of  the  initial  corner-stone  of  the  Federal  Territory,  at 
the  same  time  to  constitute  one  of  the  defenses  of  the  river  approach  to  the 
Capital  from  the  Sea,  and  to  be  called  Fort  Columbia.  It  was  actually  com- 
menced, but  was  soon  afterwards  abandoned. 

In  1846  all  that  portion  of  the  District,  consisting  of  about  36  sq.  m.,  which 
lay  on  the  W.  bank  of  the  Potomac,  in  Virginia,  was  retroceded  to  that  State, 
which  reduced  the  area  to  64  sq.  m.,  its  present  extent.  Since  the  retrocession, 
the  short-sighted  policy  of  that  act  has  been  demons. rated.  The  question  of  re- 
storing the  Territory  to  its  first  limits  is  being  agitated.  In  the  absence  of  ab- 
solute jurisdiction  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  it  is  manifest  that  there  must  be 
interminable  conflicts  of  interest  and  authority;  the  more  so  as  the  Capital  in- 
creases in  population,  wealth  and  magnificence.  The  schemes  of  improvement 
of  the  Potomac  in  front  of  Washington  and  Georgetown  also  demand  the 
possession  of  the  Virginia  shore. 

Political  Divisions. — The  District  is  divided  into  the  cities 
of  Washington  and  Georgetown  and  the  County  of  Wash- 
ington. 

Government— The  Congress  of  the  United  States,  in  Nov., 
1800,  assembled  for  the  first  time  in  the  City  of  Washing- 
ton. The  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States  over  the  Dis- 
trict vested  on  the  first  Monday  of  Dec,  3800.  It  was  not, 
however,  till  Feb.  27,  1801,  that  Congress  assumed  direct  and 
exclusive  jurisdiction— all  affairs  of  the  District  being  first 
referred  to  a  Committee  for  the  District  of  Columbia  for  con- 
sideration and  report. 


8 


GOVERNMENT. 


The  act  of  Congress  approved  February  21,  3871,  created 
all  that  part  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States  included 
within  the  limits  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  into  a  govern- 
ment, by  the  name  of  the  Distinct  of  Columbia  ;  the  execu- 
tive power  to  be  vested  in  a  Governor,  to  be  nominated  by 
the  President  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and  to  hold  office 
for  four  years ;  and  the  legislative  power  in  a  Legislative  As- 
sembly, composed  of  a  Council  of  11  members,  nominated  by 
the  President  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  to  hold  office  two 
years,  and  a  House  of  Delegates  of  22  members,  elected  by 
the  people,  and  to  meet  annually.  There  was  a  Board  of 
Public  Works  for  improvements,  a  Board  of  Health,  charged 
with  the  sanitary  care  of  the  District,  and  a  Delegate  in  Con- 
fess. 

On  January  22,  1872,  a  memorial  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress, declaring  that  the  Board  of  Public  Works  had  usurped 
authority  in  making  improvements,  and  was  submitted  on 
February  G,  1872,  setting  forth  a  great  increase  of  the  debt  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  asking  that  this  be  prevented. 
An  investigation  was  ordered.  This  committee  made  two 
reports.  The  majority  admitted  that  mistakes  had  been 
made,  but  not  for  corrupt  purposes.  The  minority  declared 
that  t  he  grievances  complained  of  were  sustained.  Two  years 
later  another  appeal  was  made  to  Congress.  A  joint  resolu- 
tion, passed  by  the  House  of  Representatives  February  2,  and 
Senate  February  11,  1874,  created  a  Joint  Select  Committee,  of 
three  Senators  and  five  Representatives,  to  inquire  into  the 
affairs  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  principal  charges  of 
the  memorialists,  headed  by  W.  W.  Corcoran,  were  that  un- 
lawful contracts  had  been  made  for  public  improvements  in 
the  District  of  Columbia ;  that  unlawful  assessments  of  taxes 
had  been  levied;  that  false  measurements  had  been  made; 
and  that  the  debt  had  been  unnecessarily  increased. 

The  committee,  after  an  investigation  consuming  over  three 
months,  unanimously  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  the  then 
existing  form  of  government  of  the  District  of  Columbia  was 
n  failure;  that  it  was  too  cumbrous  and  expensive;  that  it 
was  wanting  in  sufficient  safeguards  against  maladministra- 
tion and  the  creation  of  indebtedness.  The  act  of  June  20, 
1874.  based  upon  the  recommendations  of  the  committee, 
abolished  the  territorial  form,  alone  retaining  the  Board  of 
Health,  and  provided  a  provisional  government  of  three  Com- 
missioners until  a  permanent  one  was  devised  by  Congress. 
This  is  now  being  done. 

A  notorious  act,  growing  out  of  the  troubles  between  the 
memorialists  and  the  government  of  the  District  of  Col  umbia, 
led  to  another  investigation,  on  a  joint  resolution  of  Congress. 


POPULATION. 


9 


May  5,  1874,  to  inquire  whether  any  officers  in  the  employ- 
ment of  the  United  States  or  of  the  District  of  Columbia  were 
engaged  in  a  conspiracy  to  defeat  or  hinder  the  investigations 
ordered  by  Congress  into  the  affairs  of  the  District,  and  par- 
ticularly the  circumstances  connected  with  the  robbery  of 
the  safe  in  the  office  of  the  United  States  attorney  for  the 
District  of  Columbia.  The  committee  reported  that  they 
were  satisfied  that  one  of  the  objects  of  the  burglary  was  to 
falsely  implicate  certain  individuals  among  the  memorialists, 
but  were  unable  to  determine  who  were  the  conspirators, 
and  directed  that  the  evidence  be  turned  over  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  and  Attorney  General  for  their  informa- 
tion. Criminal  prosecutions  were  ordered.  Upon  a  trial  of 
the  case  the  jury  failed  to  agree,  and  the  government  entered 
a  nolle  pros. 

The  judicial  courts  of  the  District  are  subject  to  the  legisla- 
tive action  of  Congress  only. 

The  salaries  of  all  officers  appointed  by  the  President  are 
paid  by  the  U.  S. ;  all  others  by  the  District.  The  new  District 
government  went  into  operation  June  1,  1871. 

Finances,  estimated  upon  the  tax  levy  for  the  fiscal  year 
ending  June  30,  1874: 

Assessed  valuation  of  real  estate  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, 896,433,072,  viz  :  Washington,  $80,539,782  ;  Georgetown, 
$6,272,010 ;  County  of  Washington,  $9,621,280.  Total  actual 
valuation,  $200,000,000.  Revenue:  Taxes,  $1,888,252  06; 
other  sources,  $200,000 ;  total,  $2,088,252  06.  Rate  of  tax  on 
$100  :  Washington,  $2  00 ;  Georgetown,  $2  00 ;  County,  $1  58. 

The  act  of  Congress  of  1874,  abolishing  the  territorial  gov- 
ernment established  in  1871,  also  embraced  provisions  for  a 
thorough  examination  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  accounts  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works. 
This  work  has  been  carefully  performed  by  a  Board  of  Audit 
and  reported  to  Congress. 

The  bonded  debt  existing  Nov.  1,  1S73,  was  as  follows  : 
District  of  Columbia,  $5,522,350;  late  Corporation  of  Wash- 
ington, $4,127,584  22 ;  late  Corporation  of  Georgetown,  $252,- 
316  96  :  total,  $9,902,251  18.  Congress  limits  the  amount  of 
debt  that  may  be  incurred  by  the  District  to  $10,000,000. 

Population. — The  population  of  the  District,  inclusive  of 
the  County  of  Alexandria  up  to  1840,  and  exclusive  after, 
during  each  decade  since  its  occupation  bv  the  Government, 
was,  1800,  14,093;  1810,24,023;  1820,33,039;  1830,  39,834; 
1840,  43,712;  1850,  51,687;  1860,  75.080;  1870,  131,700. 

Classified,  1870  :  White,  88,278  ;  colored,  43,404;  Chinese, 
3 ;  Indian,  15  ;  male,  62,192  ;  female,  69,508  ;  native,  1 15.146 ; 


10 


INDUSTRY  AND  WEALTH. 


foreign  born,  10,254 ;  native  of  District  of  Columbia,  52,340 ; 
of  other  States,  G3,106.  Of  foreign  countries,  16,254,  viz  : 
Ireland,  8,218  ;  Germany,  4,920  :  England,  1,422  ;  Scotland, 
352;  British  America,  290;  France,  231;  Italy,  182;  all 
other  foreign  countries,  639. 

By  civil  divisions,  1870  :  Washington,  109,199  ;  George- 
town, 11,384;  countv,  11,117. 

Slave  population  :"l800,  3,244 ;  1810,  5,395  ;  1820,  6,377; 
1830,  6,119;  1840,  4,694;  1850,  3,687;  1860,  3,185;  1870, 
none. 

Total,  exclusive  of  Alexandria  County  :  1800,  8,144 ;  1810, 
15,471;  1820,  23,336;  1830,30,261;  and  1840,  33,745  subse- 
quently, as  above. 

The  increase  to  131,700  during  the  decade  ending  in  1870 
indicates  an  unusually  rapid  growth.  This  will  be  further 
promoted,  as  the  disposition  already  manifested  by  citizens  of 
means  in  all  parts  of  the  country  to  make  the  National  Capi- 
tal a  place  of  winter  resort  increases. 

Miscellaneous  Statistics,  1870. — Area,  64  sq.  m . ;  persons  to 
a  sq.  m.,  2,057.81.  Families,  25,276;  persons  to  a  family, 
5.21.  Dwellings,  23,308  ;  persons  to  a  dwelling  5.65.  Per- 
sons in  each  class  of  occupations  :  Agriculture,  1,365  ;  male, 
1,350 ;  female,  15.  Professional  and  personal  services,  29,845 ; 
male,  17,927 ;  female,  11,918.  Trade  and  transportation, 
6,126;  male,  5,852  ;  female,  274.  Manufacture,  mechanical, 
and  mining,  11,705;  male,  10,071;  female,  1,634.  Other 
statistical  information  will  be  found  under  appropriate  heads. 

Vital  Statistics. -The  District  is  situated  in  one  of  the  health- 
iest regions  in  the  country.  Notwithstanding  the  large  num- 
ber of  strangers  constantly  arriving  in  the  city  and  the 
irregular  habits  of  a  large  proportion,  the  average  death-rate 
compares  favorably  with  other  sections.  The  census  of  1870 
shows  the  following  results:  Oregon,  1  death  to  146  popula- 
tion, the  most  favorable  ;  Minnesota,  1  to  124;  New  Hamp- 
shire, 1  to  74 ;  Pennsylvania,  1  to  66  ;  District  of  Columbia,  1 
to  65  ;  California,  1  to  62  ;  Missouri,  1  to  61 ;  Massachusetts,  1 
to  56  ;  Louisiana,  1  to  50.  The  percentage  of  deaths  to  pop- 
ulation in  the  District  is  1.53.  The  aggregate  number  of 
deaths  in  1870  was  2,015:  males,  1,065;  females,  950;  ag- 
gregate population,  131,700.  Of  the  deaths,  929  died  under 
the  age  of  5  years.  The  principal  diseases  are  pulmonary 
and  fevers,  in  particular  localities.  The  fevers  are  generally 
intermitting  and  bilious. 

Industry  and  Wealth,  1870,— Valuation  of  Property,  $74,- 
271,693;  assessed  real,  $71,437,468;  personal,  $2,834,225. 


12 


GEOLOGY. 


True  value,  real  and  personal,  $126,873,618.  This  is  exclu- 
sive of  the  property  of  the  General  Government.  Taxation, 
not  national,  total  $1,581,569 ;  county,  $49,975 ;  city,  $1,531,- 
594 ;  1860,  total  $260,218 ;  1870,  public  debt,  not  national, 
$2,596,545.  Agriculture:  Acres  improved,  8,266 ;  woodland, 
2,428 ;  other  unimproved,  983 ;  .value  of  farms,  $3,800,230  ; 
implements,  &c.  $39,450 ;  value  of  productions,  betterments, 
and  additions  to  stock,  $319,517.  In  1860  there  were  17,474 
acres  improved  and  16,789  unimproved,  with  a  value  of  but 
$2,989,267.  Manufactures  :  Establishments,  952 ;  capital, 
$5,021,925;  products,  $9,292,173.  In  1860  there  were  but 
429  establishments,  with  capital  $2,905,865,  and  products 
$5,412,102.    JSTo  mining  or  established  fisheries. 

Agriculture. — The  cereals  and  other  crops  of  the  1ST.  belt 
of  the  N.  temperate  zone  are  cultivated  with  success  in  the 
District  of  Columbia.  Fruits  and  vegetables  in  great  variety 
are  also  grown.  The  markets  of  the  capital  are  abundantly 
supplied  from  the  vicinity,  and  rank  with,  if  they  do  not  ex- 
>cel,  the  finest  in  other  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Topography. — The  District  of  Columbia  presents  a  pleasing 
variety  of  landscape.  On  the  shores  of  the  Potomac,  towards 
the  NW.,  the  outlying  spurs  of  the  Blue  Ridge  range  of  the 
Appalachian  chain  approach  the  city,  and  form  the  wild  and 
romantic  scenery  of  rugged  rocky  hills  and  deep  valleys  along 
the  Potomac  at  the  Little  and  Great  Falls.  The  remainder 
of  the  District  consists  of  sweeping  and  graceful  undulations. 
The  Potomac,  from  the  NW.,  and  the  Anacostia,  from  the 
NE.,  unite  their  currents  about  the  centre  of  the  original 
bounds  of  the  District,  from  which  point  the  main  river  flows 
in  a  southerly  direction,  until  it  passes  the  line.  A  number 
of  smaller  streams,  including  Rock  and  Tiber  Creeks,  which 
water  all  parts  of  the  District,  find  their  outlets  into  the  Po- 
tomac or  Anacostia. 

Geology. — The  soil  of  the  District  bordering  the  Potomac 
is  alluvial,  formed  by  the  rich  deposits  of  the  river,  brought 
down  from  the  mountains.  The  elevated  lands  consist  almost 
exclusively  of  yellow  clay,  interspersed  with  sand  and  gravel. 
Occasionally  a  mixture  of  loam  and  clay  is  met  with.  Rock 
Creek  divides  the  primitive  from  the  alluvial  soil.  Above 
Rock  Creek  the  shores  of  the  Potomac  are  lined  with  primi- 
tive rocks.  Shortly  after  leaving  the  District  the  red  sand- 
stone appears.  In  some  parts  the  stone  frequently  contains 
leaves  of  trees  and  ligneous  fragments.  A  species  of  gneiss, 
composed  of  feldspar,  quartz,  and  mica,  is  also  abundant,  and 
constitutes  the  underlying  rock  of  the  entire  District. 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


13 


Mineralogy. — The  mineralogy  of  the  District  is  thus  stated 
by  Mr.  Robinson,  in  his  Catalogue  : 

Flint,  on  the  shores  of  the  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Poto- 
mac, near  the  Navy  Yard,  in  small  nodules. 

Hornestone,  containing  organic  remains. 

Agatized  Wood,  woodstone,  three  miles  north  from  Wash- 
ington, sometimes  invested  with  minute  crystals  of  quartz, 
fine  specimens,  and  abundant. 

Schorl,  in  Georgetown,  in  gneiss. 

Lignite  and  pVritical  Fossil  W^ood,  found  abund- 
antly in  digging  wells. 

Iron  Ore,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  woodstone  locality,  in  de- 
tached masses,  on  the  surface.  Organic  remains  in  sandstone 
abundant. 

Botany. — A  list  of  the  plants  indigenous  to  the  District  of 
Columbia,  prepared  by  J.  A.  Brereton,  in  1822,  from  the  ma- 
terial collected  under  the  auspices  of  the  Washington  Botan- 
ical Societjr,  and  entitled  Florida  Columbiana,  presents  22 
classes  and  288  varieties,  following  the  Linnasan  classification. 
Of  the  more  familiar  varieties  found  are  the  oak,  (several  va- 
rieties,) button- wood,  red  maple,  sassafras,  alder,  mountain 
ash,  linden,  catalpa,  locust,  chestnut,  tulip,  horehound,  pen- 
nyroyal, dogwood,  blue-eyed  grass,  violet,  wild  honeysuckle, 
fox  grape,  Indian  tobacco,  mullien,  wild  sweet  potato,  night- 
shade, chickweed,  touch-me-not,  dog's  bane,  spiderwort,  elder, 
sumac,  calamus,  superb  lily,  hellebore,  free  primrose,  ground 
laurel,  laurel,  whortleberry,  wild  indigo,  wild  pink,  cockle, 
poke,  strawberry,  dewberry,  blackberry,  sweet  brier,  May 
apple,  columbine,  ground  ivy,  motherwort,  catnip,  trumpet 
creeper,  water-cress,  wild  pepper-grass,  passion  flower,  crow- 
foot geranium,  snakeroot,  pea  vine,  wild  potato  vine,  dande- 
lion, thistle,  wild  lettuce,  sunflower,  ladies'  slipper,  sedge, 
nettle,  burdock,  hog  weed,  Indian  turnip,  cucumber. 

Zoology. — The  animals  native  to  the  region  embraced  within 
and  contiguous  to  the  District  of  Columbia  in  primitive  times 
resorted  to  this  vicinity  in  large  numbers  to  feed  upon  the  rich 
pastures  found  upon  the  alluvial  banks  of  the  Potomac. 
Among  these  were  several  varieties  of  deer.  There  were  also 
panther,  black  bear,  wild  cat,  wolves,  red  and  gray  foxes, 
rabbits,  beaver,  raccoon,  opossum,  squirrels,  (several  varieties,) 
field  mice.  The  larger  species  are  exterminated.  The  num- 
ber of  species  of  all  kinds  is  stated  at  42. 

Ornithology.  —  The  feathered  kingdom  is  well  represent- 
ed. Jefferson,  in  his  Notes  on  Virginia,  speaks  of  100  vari- 
eties of  birds,  most  of  which  doubtless  were  found  in  the 


14 


CLIMATE. 


District.  The  wild  turkey  was  found  in  great  numbers. 
The  canvas-back  duck,  which  in  early  days  resorted  to  the 
vicinity  of  Analostan  Island,  is  yet  met  with  in  the  estu- 
aries of  the  streams  below  the  city;  also  the  wild  goose, 
swan,  mallard,  blue-winged  teal,  widgeon,  and  other  spe- 
cies. In  the  swamps  are  found  snipe,  rail,  blackbirds, 
and  reed-birds.  The  country  generally  abounds  in  quail. 
The  hunting  of  feathered  game  is  restricted  by  law.  The 
autumn  months  generally  constitute  the  season.  The  car- 
dinal grosbeak,  mocking-bird,  sparrow,  linnet,  yellow-bird, 
thrush,  sand-piper,  king-fisher,  and  heron  are  also  met  with. 
The  number  of  species  of  all  kinds  is  stated  at  236. 

Ichthyology — The  Potomac,  within  the  District,  is  stocked 
with  fish  in  great  numbers,  some  of  which  are  of  the  finest 
varieties.  Those  best  known  are  the  sturgeon,  (weight  from 
40  to  150  lbs.,)  rock  fish,  (from  1  to  75  lbs.,)  shad,  bass,  gar, 
eel,  (three  varieties,)  carp,  herring,  pike,  perch,  (four  varie- 
ties,) catfish,  mullet,  (three  varieties,)  and  smelt.  The  shad 
of  the  Potomac  are  of  excellent  quality.  In  the  season  they 
are  very  abundant,  and  may  be  seen  caught  on  the  Virginia 
shore  opposite  the  city;  also  large  quantities  of  herring  are 
•caught  below  the  city.  The  laws  of  Maryland,  as  early  as 
1768,  provided  for  the  protection  of  the  fish.  Subsequent 
acts  placed  a  heavy  penalty  upon  the  destruction  of  young 
fish  by  weirs  and  dams,  and  to  prevent  beating  with  cords  or 
poles  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year.  A  species  of  shark  also 
ascends  to  the  city. 

Herpetology, — There  are  about  50  species  of  reptiles.  Of 
turtles  and  lizards  there  are  several  varieties.  There  are 
about  20  species  of  serpents,  including  the  rattle,  copperhead, 
black,  garter,  water,  green  snakes,  and  vipers. 

Climate. — The  climate  of  the  District  of  Columbia  is  gen- 
erally salubrious,  though  subject  to  sudden  changes,  particu- 
larly in  spring  The  means  for  a  series  of  years,  compiled 
at  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  (Reports  for  the 
benefit  of  commerce),  indicate  these  general  conditions  of  the 
atmosphere:  Mean  temperature,  minimum,  7°  to  9°  Fah- 
renheit, maximum,  95°  to  102°.5 ;  mean  Barometer,  min., 
29.08  to  29.35  inches,  max.,  30.63  to  30.82;  Rain  Fall,  max., 
5.8  inches  to  7.8  in.;  Prevailing  winds,  northwest.  The 
hottest  months  are  July  and  August,  and  the  coldest  De- 
cember and  February.  Sleighing  is  rare.  In  summer  storms, 
attended  with  excessive  lightning  and  thunder,  are  frequent. 
In  the  winter  of  1874-5  navigation  on  the  Potomac  was 
entirely  suspended  for  several  weeks  on  account  of  the  ice. 


4SEy  QDEQdoc  uuan^ 


3QE 


HIS 


WASHINGTON^ 

1876. 

COMPIfJ!D  EXPHEBSI.Y  KOlt, 

KEIM'S  HAND-BOOK 

Waihiagton  and  its  Environs, 


VIRGINIA 


r  /»!iJH!aE-j  iJia  4MLJ — »UI  ^ 


sgaaixfi 


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i  Capitol. 
i  President's  House. 
;  Department  of  State. 

4  Treasury  Department. 

5  War  Department. 

6  Navy  Department. 

7  Interior  Department. 

8  General  Post  Office. 

9  Department  of  Justice. 
io  Department  of  Agricultui 
n  Observatory. 
12  Arsenal, 
ij  Navy  Yard. 

14  Marine  Barracks. 

15  City  Hall. 

16  Jail, 
o^-  17  Asylum. 


REFERENCES. 

18  Centre  Market. 

19  Smithsonian  Institution. 
10  Washington  Monument 
21  Statue  of  Washington. 
12  Grcenough's  Washingtor 
2}  Statute  of  Jackson. 

24  Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art. 

25  Botanical  Garden. 

26  Magazines. 

27  Naval  Hospital. 

28  Statue  of  Scott 

29  Medical  Museum. 


Winder 


,  Utul.i 


□□aaacp&cik. 


3}  Congressional  Ce 


ng. 


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lays; 


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UNIONWWN 


MARYLAND 


SECTION  II. 
DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  CITY. 


AVEXUES,  SQUAEES,  STATUES,  &C. 

*%^=^^jHERE  are  three  points  within  the  city  from  which 
tiw  finest  views  of  Washington  may  be  obtained: 
*  1st.  The  Dome  of  the  Capitol.  2d.  The  West  Por- 
tico of  the  Capitol,  reached  through  the  central  hall 
of  the  Library  of  the  United  States.  3d.  The  higher 
of  the  north  central  towers  of  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution. Outside  of  the  city  the  best  points  are  from  the 
tower  of  the  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  beyond 
the  Anacostia,  and  the  portico  of  Arlington  House,  beyond 
the  Potomac.  The  stranger  should  not  fail  to  take  advan- 
tage of  at  least  one  of  these  opportunities,  and  all  would 
amply  repay  him.  With  the  aid  of  this  Hand-book  and 
map  he  will  thus  be  able  to  form  a  perfect  idea  of  the  city 
and  the  location  of  the  principal  public  buildings., 

Topography. — The  site  of  Washington  covers  an  undulat- 
ing tract,  which  lies  along  the  left  or  E.  bank  of  the  Potomac 
River,  between  Rock  Creek  and  the  Anacostia.  From  the 
rugged  elevations  on  the  banks  of  Rock  Creek  a  crescent- 
shaped  ridge  crosses  the  northern  portions  of  the  city.  About 
two  thirds  its  length  it  suddenly  parts,  to  allow  the  fitful  cur- 
rent of  the  Tiber  through.  From  that  point  it  rises  and 
spreads  out  into  the  expansive  plateau  of  Capitol  Hill,  which 
overlooks  the  Anacostia  on  the  E.  Within  this  encircling 
ridge  the  surface  falls  away  in  terraces  and  gentle  slopes  to 
the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  In  different  parts  of  the  city  are 
eminences  which  afford  commanding  situations  for  the  public 
buildings. 

From  the  lower  falls  of  the  Potomac  at  Georgetown,  where 
the  outlying  spurs  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  give  the  face 
of  nature  a  somewhat  rugged  appearance,  a  chain  of  low, 
wooded  hills  range  on  the  N*.,  and  continuing  on  the  op- 
posite shores  of  the  Anacostia  and  Potomac,  merge  again  in 
the  hills  on  the  Virginia  side.  These  give  the  appearance  of 
a  vast  ampitheatre,  in  the  centre  of  which  stands  the  city. 

The  mean  altitude  of  the  city  is  about  40  ft.  above  the  or- 
15 


10 


PLAN  OF  THE  CUT. 


dinary  low  tide  in  the  Potomac  opposite.  The  more  impor- 
tant elevations,  according  to  levels  taken  by  Brev.  Lieut.  Col. 
George  W.  Hughes,  Corps  of  Topographical  Engineers,  in 
1850,  are  as  follows  : 

Foundation  of  St.  John's  Church,  NE.  corner  of  16th 
and  H  sts.  NW.,  opposite  Lafayette  Square  and  the  Presi- 
dent's House,  65.50  ft. 

Corner  of  I  and  19th  sts.  NW.,  82.10  ft. 

East  base  of  Capitol,  89.50  ft. 

Base  of  Naval  Observatory,  96.20  ft. 

Corner  of  N  and  11th  sts.  W.,  (highest  point  in  the  citv,) 
103.70  ft. 

The  soil  upon  which  the  city  is  bnilt  is  generally  a  yellow- 
ish clay,  mixed  with  gravel.  In  digging  wells  near  New  Jer- 
sey av.  trees  well  preserved  were  found  at  a  depth  of  from  6 
to  48  ft.  At  one  point  a  stratum  of  black  mud  was  discov- 
ered at  a  depth  of  18  ft. 

The  Tiber — so  named  more  than  a  century  before  Wash- 
ington was  founded,  in  the  belief,  it  is  said,  that  some  day 
upon  its  banks  would  rise  a  capital  greater  than  Koine,  like 
its  historic  and  larger  namesake — runs  through  the  city,  di- 
viding it  into  two  parts.  Its  fountain  streams  rise  in  the 
hills  to  the  N.,  and  enter  the  city  in  several  branches,  the 
principal  one  in  the  vicinity  of  1st  st.  W. ;  it  then  pursues  a 
SE.  and  S.  course,  till  it  crosses  Massachusetts  av.,  when  it 
winds  off  to  the  SW.  around  the  NW.  base  of  Capitol  Hill 
and  across  Pennsylvania  av.  and  the  Botanical  Garden. 
Originally  its  course  continued  along  the  Mall  and  emptied 
into  the  Potomac  immediately  W.  of  the  Washington  Mon- 
ument. Subsequently  it  was  diverted  into  the  Washington 
Canal  at  3d  st.  W.,  which  followed  the  line  of  B  st.  N.  along 
the  N.  borders  of  the  Mall.  The  filling  of  the  canal  led  to 
further  changes.  The  Tiber  and  its  tributaries  have  since 
been  utilized  by  diverting  them  into  the  sewerage  system  of 
the  central  and  southern  portions  of  the  city;  hen<M\,  although 
the  stream  traverses  one  of  the  most  populous  sections,  its 
course  is  not  traceable,  the  current  flowing  beneath  heavy 
brick  arches,  upon  which  buildings  have  been  erected  and 
avenues,  streets,  and  parks  laid  out.  In  primitive  days  the 
banks  of  the  Tiber  were  lined  with  forests,  and  shad  and  her- 
ring in  their  season  were  caught  in  its  waters,  under  the  very 
shadow  of  the  hill  where  the  Capitol  now  stands. 

Plan  of  the  City. — The  plan  of  Washington  was  prepared 
in  1791  by  Peter  Charles  L'Enfant,  a  French  engineer  of 
noticeable  genius  but  eccentric  habits,  who  had  served  in  the 
Continental  Army  with  sufficient  distinction  to  attract  the 


PKOIOSED  EMBELLISHMENTS. 


17 


attention  of  Washington.  In  the  work  he  was  gieatly  as- 
sisted by  the  advice  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  who,  when  diplo- 
matic representative  of  the  United  States  at  foreign  courts, 
had,  with  an  intuitive  vision  of  the  wants  of  the  future,  stud- 
ied the  plans  of  the  cities  of  Europe  visited  by  him,  and  was 
competent  and  prepared,  with  the  aid  of  plans  and  his  per- 
sonal knowledge  of  their  details,  to  contribute  an  invaluable 
amount  of  information  on  this  important  subject.  The  plan 
adopted  combines  the  artistic  beauty  and  grace  of  Versailles 
and  the  practical  advantages  of  Babylon,  revived  by  William 
Penn  in  Philadelphia.  In  the  conception  of  the  plan,  the 
predominating  object  was  to  secure  positions  for  the  different 
public  edifices ;  also  squares  and  areas  of  different  shapes, 
which  would  afford  fine  prospects.  The  avenues  were  in- 
tended to  connect  the  most  distant  parts  with  certain  princi- 
pal central  points,  to  insure  a  reciprocity  of  views.  Lines  1ST. 
and  S.,  intersected  by  others  running  E.  and  W.,  were  to 
divide  the  city  into  streets  and  squares.  These  lines  were  to 
be  so  combined  as  to  intersect  at  certain  given  points  another 
set  of  divergent  avenues,  so  as  to  form  on  the  open  spaces. 
E  very  grand  transverse  avenue  and  every  principal  divergent 
one,  such  as  from  the  Capitol  to  the  President's  House,  was 
to  be  160  ft.  wide,  laid  out  with  10  ft.  sidewalks  and  30  ft.  of 
gravel- walk,  planted  with  trees  on  either  side,  and  80  ft.  of 
carriageway  in  the  centre.  The  other  avenues  and  streets 
leading  to  public  buildings  or  markets  were  to  be  130  ft.  wide, 
and  others  110  and  90  ft. 

Its  Execution, — The  site  for  the  Capitol  was  determined 
upon  as  the  initial  point  in  execution  of  this  plan.  That  im- 
portant question  having  been  decided,  Mr.  Ellicott  drew  a  true 
meridian  line  by  celestial  observation,  which  passed  through 
the  area  intended  for  the  Capitol.  This  he  crossed  by  another, 
a  due  E .  and  W.  line,  which  passed  through  the  same  area. 
These  lines  were  accurately  measured,  and  formed  the  basis 
on  which  the  whole  plan  was  executed.  All  these  lines  were 
run  by  a  transit  instrument,  and  the  acute  angles  were  deter- 
mined by  actual  measurement,  leaving  nothing  to  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  compass.  The  avenues  and  streets  were  then 
laid  down. 

Proposed  Embellishments. — The  ideas  of  the  projectors  not 
only  contemplated  a  Federal  City  capable  of  great  expan- 
sion, but  also  took  in  its  creditable  embellishment.  Although 
the  want  of  means  and  the  general  apathy  of  the  Government 
and  people  allowed  these  suggestions  to  pass  unrecognized, 
it  is  interesting  to  observe  that  the  disgraceful  and  neglected 
condition  of  the  Capital  of  the  United  States  for  nearly  three 
2 


18 


PROPOSED  EMBELLISHMENTS. 


quarters  of  a  century  was  not  owing  to  any  imperfections  in 
the  original  plans.  Directly  S.  of  the  President's  House,  in 
the  triangular  space  between  the  Mall  and  the  Potomac  and 
the  mouth  of  the  Tiber,  where  the  unfinished  and  neglected 
Obelisk  to  the  memory  of  Washington  has  stood  for  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  was  located  the  site  for  the  Equestrian 
Statue  of  Washington,  voted  by  the  Continental  Congress  in 
1783.  On  E.  Capitol  St.,  between  11th  and  13th  sts.  E.,  and 
about  the  centre  of  the  high  plateau  between  the  Capital  and 
the  Anacostia,  where  four  avenues  intersected,  was  laid  out  a 
spacious  square,  in  which  was  to  be  erected  a  Historic  Column, 
to  be  used  also  as  a  Mile  or  Itinerary  Column,  from  which  sta- 
tion it  was  intended  to  calculate  the  distances  to  all  places 
within  the  United  States  and  on  the  continent.  This  column 
would  have  answered  the  purpose  of  the  celebrated  Niphon- 
Bass  or  Bridge  of  Japan,  situated  in  the  Soto-Siro,  or  outside 
of  the  castle  in  Yeddo.  This  bridge  is  considered  as  the  cen- 
tre of  the  empire.  From  it  the  Tocaido  extends  to  all  parts 
of  the  empire,  and  geographical  distances  are  computed.  At 
the  foot  of  8th  st.  W.,  immediately  on  the  banks  of  the  Poto- 
mac, and  commanding-  a  fine  view  of  the  widening  reach  of 
the  river  below,  was  to  be  erected  a  Naval  Itinerary  Column, 
to  celebrate  the  first  rise  of  the  ]STavy,  and  64  to  stand  a  ready 
monument  to  consecrate  its  progress  and  achievements."  The 
crest  of  the  knoll  on  which  the  Patent  Office  now  stands  was 
set  apart  for  a  National  Church  and  Mausoleum,  designed  for 
the  use  of  the  Government  on  occasions  of  public  prayer, 
thanksgivings,  state  funerals  and  orations,  and  for  any  other 
purpose  national  in  character.  The  edifice  was  to  be  assigned 
to  the  special  use  of  no  particular  sect  or  denomination,  but 
to  be  equally  open  to  all.  It  was  also  to  be  the  place  for  such 
monumental  or  other  tributes  of  a  grateful  country  voted  by 
the  then  late  Continental  Congress  for  those  heroes  who  fell 
in  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  for  such  others  as  might  be  decreed 
a  place  there  by  the  voice  of  the  nation.  Also,  five  grand 
Fountains  were  to  be  erected  at  different  prominent  points: 
one  S.  of  the  Capitol,  in  the  large  irregular  space  formed  by 
the  intersection  of  Virginia  and  North  and  South  Carolina 
avs.;  one  on  Maryland  av.,  at  the  intersection  of  F  and  11th 
sts.  1STE. ;  one  at  the  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  and  Lou- 
isiana avs.,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Centre  Market;  one 
on  New  York  av.,  at  the  intersection  of  I  st.,  between  11th 
and  12th  sts.  NW.;  and  one  on  the  N.  side  of  Pennsylvania  av.t 
at  the  intersection  of  I  st.,  between  20th  and  21st  sts.  NW, 
It  was  proposed  to  supply  these  fountains  from  the  spring* 
and  streams  within  the  limits  of  the  city.  Between  the  Capi- 
tol and  the  Botanical  Garden  it  wa§  intended  to  construct  i 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  PLAN. 


19 


Grand  Cascade^  to  be  feci  from  the  Tiber.  Between  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland  avs.,  from  3d  st.  W.,  a  space  of  1,200 
ft.  was  laid  down  as  the  main  approach  to  the  "  Federal 
House"  or  Capitol,  and  by  which  it  was  intended  to  reach 
the  upper  square  of  the  u Federal  House."  The  Mall  was  to 
form  a  grand  avenue,  400  ft.  wide  and  about  1  m.  in  length, 
bordered  with  gardens,  to  lead  to  the  Equestrian  Statue  of 
Washington,  or  where  the  Monument  now  stands,  and 
to  connect  the  "Congress  Garden  with  the  President's 
Park."  On  E.  Capitol  st.,  which  was  to  be  160  ft.  wide 
to  the  proposed  bridge  across  the  Anacostia,  the  pavement 
on  each  side  was  to  pass  under  archways,  with  shops.  On 
the  S.  of  the  President's  Park  was  to  be  a  well-improved 
"Field,  1,800  ft.  wide  and  |  m.  long,"  part  of  the  "Walk" 
from  the  President's  House.  This  spacious  reservation  was 
designed  for  the  more  elegant  houses  and  gardens  of  the  city, 
to  be  used  by  diplomatic  or  other  foreign  representatives  and 
prominent  officials  of  the  United  States.  Fifteen  squares  in 
the  more  conspicuous  parts  of  the  city  were  to  be  distributed 
among  the  States  in  the  Union,  for  them  to  improve,  or  to 
subscribe  a  sum  in  addition  to  the  value  of  the  land  for  that 
purpose.  The  States  were  to  embellish  these  squares  within 
a  limited  time,  by  the  erection  of  some  appropriate  statue, 
column,  obelisk,  or  other  appropriate  mark,  as  they  might 
determine,  to  the  memory  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  "  to 
inspire  the  young,"  and  designed  to  "leave  a  grand  idea  of 
patriotic  interest."  Other  designated  points  were  to  be  set 
apart  for  the  erection,  by  the  different  denominations,  of 
edifices  for  religious  worship,  No  burial  places  were  to  be 
allowed  within  the  limits  of  the  city.  Also  squares  and  areas 
unappropriated  were  to  be  assigned  for  the  uses  of  colleges 
and  other  institutions.  All  dwellings  or  other  structures 
were  to  be  built  in  accordance  with  certain  regulations,  so  as 
to  preserve  uniformity. 

Origin  of  the  Plan. — The  resemblance  between  the  plans 
of  L'Enfant  for  Washington  and  L'Xotre  for  Versailles  will 
be  apparent  to  any  one  who  has  visited  the  capital  of  the 
Western  Republic  and  the  magnificent  royal  residence  of 
fiie  kings  of  France.  The  grand  avenues  de  Sceaux  and  de 
St.  Cloud,  diverging  from  the  Cour  Royale,  are  reproduced 
in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  avs.,  radiating  from  the  E. 
front  of  the  Capitol ;  E.  Capitol  st.  is  the  Avenue  de  Paris; 
the  Boulevard  du  Roi  and  the  Allee  du  Potager  in  and 
S.  Capitol  sts. ;  and  the  Allees  de  la  Reine,  de  Noisy,  des 
Paons,  and  de  la  Reine,  which  diverge  from  the  E.  extrem- 
ity of  the  Grand  Canal,  near  the  Basin  d'Apollon,  with  the 


20 


A  RETROSPECT. 


omission  of  Allee  de  la  Peine  to  the  SW.,  respectively,  in 
Connecticut,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  York  avs.  W.  of  the 
President's  House.  The  missing  avenue  in  the  plan  of 
Washington,  the  continuation  of  Vermont  av.,  would  have 
completed  the  resemblance,  but  for  the  interference  of  na- 
ture :  the  Potomac  and  the  mouth  of  the  Tiber  standing 
in  the  way  of  the  extension  SW.  of  the  President's  House. 
Other  striking  features  of  the  design  of  Versailles  are  observ- 
able. Washington,  however,  having  in  view  the  practical  as 
well  as  the  beautiful,  might  be  saicf  to  combine  the  plans  of 
two  cities.  The  streets  running  at  right  angles  have  a  regard 
for  the  facilities  of  business.  While  over  these,  with  an  eye 
to  beautiful  prospects  and  the  advantageous  display  of  the 
centres  of  attraction,  at  long  ranges  are  laid  the  broad  ave- 
nues, carrefours,  allees,  and  lawns  of  the  imperial  retreat  at 
Versailles.' 

A  Eetrospect. — Though  the  city  was  originally  laid  out  on 
a  scale  adequate  to  the  necessities  of  a  metropolis  of  more  than 
half  a  million  inhabitants,  and  with  the  proper  regard  for  the 
adornment  of  the  Capital  of  a  great  people  in  the  future,  the 
crude  ideas  entertained  by  subsequent  statesmen  respecting 
the  political  status  of  the  Federal  Territory  and  city  were  ad- 
verse to  any  expenditure  other  than  to  establish  there  a  sim- 
ple place  of  meeting  for  the  representatives  of  the  States — a 
sort  of  central  agency,  where  the  President  and  Executive 
officers  might  be  stationed,  and  where  Congress  might  come 
once  a  year  or  of  tener,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  times  required, 
to  transact  the  business  intrusted  to  them  by  the  Constitu- 
tion— mainly  to  pass  laws,  appropriate  money,  levy  taxes, 
declare  war,  ratify  treaties,  and  confirm  nominations.  This 
class,  then  in  the  ascendancy,  found  it  impossible,  or  were  un- 
willing, to  see  anything  national  in  the  foundation  of  a  Fed- 
eral Capital,  and  consequently  opposed  every  measure  look- 
ing beyond  the  mere  provision  of  accommodations  for  the 
public  offices.  To  build  a  capital  in  every  sense  symbolic 
and  worthy  of  the  Union  was  entirely  foreign  to  their  inter- 
pretation of  the  meaning  of  that  portion  of  the  Constitution 
which  gave  Congress  the  power  to  accept  and  exercise  exclu- 
sive jurisdiction  over  a  Territory  to  be  solely  devoted  to  the 
uses  of  the  nation  for  the  purposes  of  the  Government.  These 
notions,  it  would  seem,  were  a  revival  of  a  practice  in  Ger- 
many centuries  ago.  On  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine,  imme- 
diately below  the  ancient  village  of  Rhense,  on  the  very  brink 
of  the  stream,  and  apart  from  the  habitations  of  men,  is  still 
to  be  seen  the  famous  though  rude  rostrum  or  temple  known 
as  the  Koenigsstuhl.    It  consists  of  stone  seats,  within  a  small 


RESERVATIONS. 


21 


circular  wall,  and  overhead  entirely  open  to  the  air.  Here, 
in  the  earlier  ages,  the  German  electors  assembled  to  deliber- 
ate upon  the  affairs  of  the  empire,  to  perform  acts  for  the 
common  good,  to  make  treaties,  and  to  nominate  or  depose 
the  emperors.  Washington,  by  the  class  alluded  to,  was 
viewed  in  the  light  of  the  Koenigsstuhl  of  the  United  States. 
More  mature  thought,  however,  at  last  brought  the  people  to 
look  upon  their  capital  as  the  political  metropolis  of  the  United 
States.  This  enlightened  view  is  recent,  dating  no  farther 
back  than  1861.  It  was  not  till  1870  that  the  march  of  much- 
needed  improvement  commenced.  With  this  new  state  of 
affairs  the  Capital  is  annually  becoming  more  worthy  of  the 
greatness  of  the  Eepublic  of  forty  millions  of  people. 

Keservations. — In  the  plan  of  the  city  a  liberal  allowance 
of  space  was  selected  and  marked  out  in  the  most  desirable 
localities  for  the  sites  of  public  buildings,  parks,  and  for  other 
purposes  of  the  Government.  These  grounds  were  called  res- 


THE  MALL. 


ervations,  and  were  numbered  from  1  to  17,  with  an  aggregate 
area  of  541  acres,  1  rood,  29  perches.  Those  still  possessed 
by  the  Government — several  having  been  sold  or  granted 
away  since — are  designated  on  the  maps  by  their  original 
numbers,  but  are  popularly  called  after  the  principal  build- 


22 


RESERVATIONS. 


iug  situated  on  them,  or  from  the  uses  to  which  assigned,  as 
follows : 

1.  The  President's  Grounds  include  the  JSf.  and  S. 
Parks  and  Lafayette  Square,  extend  from  H  st.  on  the  X. 
to  the  mouth  of  Tiber  Creek  on  the  S.,  and  from  loth  to  17th 
sts.  W.,  with  the  exception  of  a  square  in  the  NE.  and  NW. 
angles.  On  these  grounds  are  the  President's  House,  con- 
servatories, and  stables,  flanked  on  the  E.  by  the  Treasury 
Department,  and  on  the  W.  by  the  State,  War,  and  Navy 
Departments.  The  former  now  building.  Total  area  of 
grounds,  83  a.  1  r.  22  p. 

2.  The  Capitol  Grounds  include  the  E.  and  W.  Parks 
and  the  Mall,  extending  from  1st  st.  E.  to  the  prolongation 
of  15th  st.  W.,  and  between  B  sts.  N.  and  S.,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  narrow  connecting  strip  between  3d  and  6th  sts.  W. 
This  deficient  portion  of  the  Mall  in  1822  was  granted  by  Con- 
gress to  the  municipal  corporation,  to  be  sold  in  lots,  to  pay 
the  expense  of  removing  the  old  canal  from  its  location  on 
the  S.  side  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  between  3d  and  6th  sts.  W., 
to  the  middle  of  the  Mall.  On  these  grounds  are  the  Capitol, 
Botanical  Garden,  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  the  Ag- 
ricultural Department.  Total  area  of  grounds  originally, 
227  a.  0  r.  8  p.  Under  authority  of  Congress,  in  1872,  squares 
No.  687  and  688,  in  the  NE.  and  SE.  angles  of  the  E.  Park, 
were  purchased  and  thrown  into  the  grounds. 

3.  The  Park  extends  from  the  W.  line  of  the  Mall,  on  15th 
st.  W.,  to  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  and  is  separated  from 
the  S.  gardens  of  the  President's  Grounds  by  B  st.  N.,  form- 
erly the  line  of  the  Tiber  Creek  and  the  Washington  Canal. 
The  old  channel  of  the  Tiber  entered  the  Potomac  on  the 
NW.  border  of  this  reservation.  These  grounds  are  occupied 
bv  the  Washington  Monument  and  the  Government  Nurse- 
ries.   Total  area,  29  a.  3  r.  9  p. 

4.  The  University  Square  extends  from  E  st.  N.  to  the 
banks  of  tiie  Potomac,  and  between  23d  and  25th  sts.  NW. 
On  these  grounds  is  the  Naval  Observatory.  Total  area,  21 
a.  0  r.  18  p. 

5.  The  Arsenal.  Grounds,  foot  of  4J  st.  W.,  originally 
included  the  point  of  land  at  the  confluence  of  the  Anacostia 
and  Potomac,  from  Greenleaf 's  Point  to  T  st.  S.,  and  between 
the  month  of  James  Creek  and  the  line  of  3d  st.  W.  to  the  Po- 
tomac. Total  area,  28  a.  2  r.  31  p.  This  reservation  in  1857 
was  extended  by  the  purchase  of  the  land  between  the  line 
of  the  canal  into  James  Creek  and  W.  to  the  Potomac  and 
N.  to  P  st.  S. 

6.  The  Wtest  Market  Square,  on  the  Potomac,  at  the 
foot  of  20th  and  21st  sts.  W.  covered  with  water. 


RESERVATIONS. 


23 


7.  The  Centre  Market  Square,  between  the  point  of 
intersection  of  Pennsylvania  and  Louisiana  avs.  on  the  N. 
and  B  st.  N.  on  the  S.,  and  from  7th  to  9th  sts.  W.  Total 
area,  2  a.  3  r.  29  p.  This  reservation  in  1860  was  granted  to 
the  corporation  for  the  use  originally  designed,  and  is  occu- 
pied by  the  principal  market  in  the  city. 

8.  The  National  Church  Square,  between  7th  and 
9th  sts.  W.  and  F  and  G  sts.  N.,  now  occupied  by  the  Patent 
Office.    Area,  4  a.  0  r.  22  p. 

9.  Judiciary  Square,  between  the  intersection  of  Indi- 
ana and  Louisiana  avs.  on  the  S.  and  G  st.  N.  on  the  N.  and 
4th  and  5th  sts.  W.,  occupied  by  the  City  Hall  and  Jail.  Area, 
19  a.  1  r.  27  p.  In  1819  a  portion  of  this  reservation  w^as 
granted  by  Congress  to  the  corporation  for  a  Town  House  or 
City  Hall.  In  1845  another  portion  was  granted  for  Public 
School  purposes. 

10.  Eeservation  N.  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  between  3d 
and  4J  sts.  W.,  in  1822,  was  granted  by  Congress  to  the  cor- 
poration, to  be  sold  in  lots,  to  pay  for  the  removal  of  the  canal, 
which  then  ran  along  the  S.  side  of  Pennsylvania  av.  to  the 
centre  of  the  Mall,  from  3d  to  6th  sts.  W.,  and  to  fill  up  the  low 
grounds  in  that  vicinity.    Total  area,  6  a.  0  r.  31  p. 

11.  Eeservation  between  B  and  C  sts.  1ST.  and  2d  and 
3d  sts.  W.  Total  area,  3  a.  2  r.  34  p.  Disposed  of  same  as 
reservation  No.  10. 

12.  Reservation  N.  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  between  2d 
and  3d  sts.  W.  Total  area,  1  a.  1  r.  4  p.  Disposed  of  same 
as  reservations  Nos.  10  and  11. 

13.  Hospital  Square,  from  the  Anacostia  to  19th  st.  E. 
and  between  B  and  G  sts.  S.  Total  area,  77  a.  0  r.  26  p.  On 
this  square  stands  the  Magazine,  Alms  House,  and  new  Jail. 

14.  The  Navy  Yard,  bounded  by  M  st.  S.  on  the  N., 
the  Anacostia  on  the  S.,  and  lies  between  the  continuation  of 
6th  and  9th  sts.  E.  Total  area,  12  a.  3  r.  15  p.  On  these 
grounds  are  the  buildings,  docks,  ship-houses,  and  works  of 
the  Washington  Navy  Yard. 

15  and  16.  Eastern  Market  House  Squares,  near  the 
Navy  Yard.  These  reservations  were  granted  by  Congress 
to  the  municipal  corporation  for  the  purpose  stated.  Area, 
No.  15,  1  a.  0  r.  21  p. ;  No.  16,  1  a.  0  r.  23  p. 

17.  Town  House  Square,  the  irregular  space  S.  of  the 
Capitol,  between  S.  Capitol  st.  and  3d  st.  E.  and  E  and  H 
sts.  S.,  intersected  by  New  Jersey  and  Virginia  avs.  Total 
area,  21  a.  1  r.  29  p. 

The  aggregate  area  of  the  public  reservations  in  the  city, 
deducting  those  disposed  of,  correction  of  errors,  and  modifi- 
cations, is  513  acres. 


24 


AVENUES. 


In  1812  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  authorized 
to  take  possession  of  the  whole  of  the  public  reservations,  and 
to  lease  them  out  for  not  exceeding  ten  years,  on  such  terms 
and  conditions  as  in  his  judgment  might  best  effect  their  im- 
provement for  walks,  botanic  gardens,  or  other  public  pur- 
poses. 

A  detailed  description  of  the  reservations  occupied  by  the 
Government  will  be  found  in  connection  with  the  public 
buildings  or  their  other  designating  feature . 

Avenues. — The  avenues  and  streets  nave  an  aggregate 
length  of  264  m. — avenues  65  m.,  street*  199  m. — and  are  of 
greater  width  than  those  of  any  other  city  in  the  world. 
With  the  allej^s  and  open  spaces  at  intersections  they  cover 
2,554  a.,  or  about  two  thirds  of  the  area  of  the  entire  city. 
The  ratio  of  street  areas  to  areas  of  three  of  the  principal 
cities  in  the  United  States  and  the  same  number  in  Europe 
is :  Paris,  France,  25.8  per  cent. ;  Berlin,  Prussia,  26.4  per 
cent. ;  Boston,  United  States,  26.7  per  cent. ;  Philadelphia, 
United  States,  29.8  per  cent.;  New  York,  United  States, 
35.3  per  cent.  ;„  Vienna,  Austria,  35.8  per  cent.;  Washing- 
ton, United  States,  41.8  per  cent.  The  carriageways  of  the 
avenues  and  streets  are  well  laid,  with  a  variety  of  pavements, 
amounting  to  over  115  in.  Nov.  1, 1872,  in  the  following  pro- 
portions :  Wood,  34.71  in. ;  round  block,  5.05  m. ;  compound 
wood  and  concrete,  0.87  m. ;  concrete,  16.34  m. ;  Belgian  and 
granite,  4.01  m. ;  cobblestone,  6.76  m. ;  macadamized,  8.08 
m.;  graveled  and  roads,  mostly  in  the  county,  39.22  m. : 
total,  115.54  m.  Cost,  $4,081,716  78.  At  the  time  of  going 
to  press  50  m.  were  in  course  of  completion.  This  length 
is  computed  on  the  basis  of  an  assumed  width  of  32  ft.  The 
improved  styles  of  pavements  have  been  laid  on  principal 
thoroughfares  of  business  and  pleasure  and  on  the  avenues 
and  streets  occupied  by  the  better  class  of  residences.  The 
cobblestone,  in  streets  less  traveled,  mostly  south  of  Penn- 
sylvania av.  The  McAdam  is  but  little  used  within  the  city, 
owing  to  the  dust,  but  is  extensively  employed  on  the  high- 
ways traversing  the  rural  districts  within  the  Territory. 
Originally  there  were  13  avs.,  named  after  the  States  in  the 
Union  when  the  city  was  laid  out.  Others  on  the  first  plan, 
but  undesignated,  were  named  after  States  subsequently  ad- 
mitted, though  not  in  the  order  of  their  admission.  There 
are  now  21  avs.,  nineteen  varying  from  120  to  160  ft.  wide, 
and  two  85  ft.  wide,  radiating  from  principal  centres  or  con- 
necting different  parts  of  the  city. 

From  THE  CAPITOL — 

Delaware  av.,  160  ft.  wide,  1ST.  15°  44"  E.  to  Boundary 


AVENUES. 


25 


New  Jersey  av.,  160  ft.  wide,  N.  15°  44'  W.  to  Boundary. 

Maryland  av.,  160  ft.  wide,  N.  62°  25'  E.  to  Boundary. 

Pennsylvania  a  v.,  160  ft.  wide,  S.  62°  27/E.  to  Anaeostia. 

These  same  avs.  are  continued  beyond  the  point  of  inter- 
section, and  form  the  corresponding  radiation  on  the  S.  and 
W.  Maryland  av.,  W.  of  Capitol,  N.  70°  22'  E.  The  inter- 
mediate broad  streets  intersecting  at  right-angles  are  N..  E., 
and  S.  Capitol  sts. 

From  the  President's  House — 

New  York  av.,  130  ft.  wide,  N.  66°  9'  E.  to  Boundary. 

Vermont  av.,  130  ft.  wide,  N.  24°  31  J'  E.  to  Boundary. 

Connecticut  av.,  130  ft.  wide,  N.  24°  31J'  W.  to  Bound- 
ary. 

Pennsylvania  av.,  130  ft.  wide,  N.  66  W.  to  Kock  Creek 
and  Georgetown. 

These  same  avenues  are  continued  from  the  centre  of  inter- 
section at  the  President's  House,  and  form  the  corresponding 
radiation  on  the  SE.  and  SW. 

Pennsylvania  av.,  from  the  President's  House  to  the  Capi- 
tol, is  160  ft.  wide,  and  runs  S.  70°  33' 30"  E.  New  York 
av.,  W.  of  President's  House,  is  160  ft.  wide,  and  runs  S. 
70°  27'  W. 

From  Lincoln  Square,  E .  of  the  Capitol — 
Tennessee  av.,  120  ft.  wide,  N.  32°  25'  E.  to  Boundary. 
North  Carolina  av.,  160  ft.  wide,  N.  62°  30' E.  to  Bound- 
ary. 

Massachusetts  av.,  160  ft.  wide,  S.  62° 26'  E.  to  Hospital 
Square. 

Kentucky  av.,  120  ft.  S.  33°  E.  to  the  Anaeostia. 

Tennessee  and  Kentucky  avs.  start  here,  while  Massachu- 
setts and  North  Carolina  avs.  intersect  and  cross,  forming 
the  corresponding  diverging  avs.  on  the  W. 

Under  the  old  corporation,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
spasmodic  attempts,  as  the  necessities  of  an  increased  popu- 
lation became  urgent,  no  efforts  were  made  to  improve  the 
avenues,  streets,  and  spaces.  For  a  half  a  century  Pennsyl- 
vania av.  was  the  only  improved  thoroughfare.  An  act  of 
Congress,  approved  April  6,  1870,  authorized  the  corporation 
to  set  apart  one  half  the  width  of  any  or  all  the  avenues  and 
streets  under  its  jurisdiction  for  parking,  leaving  a  roadway 
of  not  less  than  35  ft.  width  in  the  centre,  or  two  such  road- 
ways on  each  side  of  the  park,  should  that  be  placed  in  the 
centre.  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana  avs.  and  st.  W.,  be- 
tween the  City  Hall  and  Pennsylvania  av.,  were  excluded 
from  this  arrangement.  On  July  8,  of  the  same  year,  Con- 
gress authorized  the  paving  of  Pennsylvania  av.  at  the  Gov- 
ernment expense .   Under  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  create  d 


26 


DESCRIPTION  OF  AVENUES. 


under  the  organic  act  of  1871  of  the  District,  the  improvement 
of  the  thoroughfares  of  the  city  was  systematically  under- 
taken. A  plan  of  grades  was  adopted,  to  which  all  avenues 
and  streets  were  made  to  conform.  This  gave  a  regularity 
and  finish  which  do  not  fail  to  strike  the  eye  with  pleasing 
effect. 

Description  of  Avenues,— The  broad  thoroughfares  are 
among  the  principal  attractions  of  the  National  Capital,  and 
the  finest  possessed  by  any  city  in  the  world.  A  drive  upon 
them,  especially  of  an  evening,  when  thronged  with  hand- 
some equipages,  affords  a  truly  enjoyable  recreation. 

Pennsylvania  av.  is  not  only  the  principal,  but  also  one  of 
the  two  longest  in  the  city.  It  is,  however,  twice  interrupted 
in  its  continuity — by  the  President's  House  and  Capitol.  Its 
width  varies  from  130  to  160  ft.  It  is  about  4J  m.  in  length, 
from  Georgetown  and  Rock  Creek  to  the  Anacostia,  and  is  the 
main  line  of  communication  across  the  city.  Along  its  route 
are  the  Washington  Circle,  the  IFarand  Treasury  Departments, 
and  President's  House.  From  17th  to  15th  sts.  the  avenue  pre- 


president's  house,  1870. 


sents  a  particularly  fine  prospect,  passing  between  the  Nort} 
Park  of  the  President's  Grounds,  in  front  of  which  is  a  side- 
walk 34  J  ft.  wide,  and  Lafayette  Square.  From  15th  st.  W.  tc 
the  Capitol  it  traverses  the  entire  length  of  the  finest  business 
quarter  and  the  fashionable  drive.  It  thence  winds  up  and 
around  the  hill  surmounted  by  the  Capitol,  and  continues  to 
its  terminus  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacostia.  At  the  foot  of 
8th  st.  E.,  leaving  this  avenue,  is  the  Navy  Yard.  Pennsyl- 


DESCRIPTION  OF  AVENUES. 


27 


vania  av.  was  also  the  earliest  used.  In  1800  it  was  opened 
and  rudely  drained  from  the  Capitol  to  Georgetown.  During 
the  administration  of  Jeft'erson,  from  the  Capitol  to  the  Pres- 
ident's House  it  was  laid  out  in  three  roadways.  A  row  of 
Lombardy  poplars  was  planted  between  the  centre  or  main 
roadway  and  that  on  either  side.  A  flag-stone  foot  walk  also 
ran  from  the  Capitol  to  Georgetown.  In  1825  the  sidewalk 
on  the  S.  side  was  paved  with  stone  from  the  Capitol  to  the 
Navy  Department.  In  1832  the  trees  were  cut  down,  the 
curbs  extended,  and  a  drained  macadamized  roadway,  45  ft, 
wide  in  the  centre,  laid  out.  The  u centre  strip,"  however, 
was  not  entirely  completed  till  1849,  and  then  was  shaded 
with  elms,  maples,  and  u  trees  of  heaven."  In  1842  it  was 
lighted  with  lamps  from  the  Capitol  to  the  President's  House ; 
subsequently  it  was  paved  with  cobblestones,  and  so  remained 
till  1870. 

Massachusetts  Avenue  is  the  longest  unbroken  in  the 
city,  being  over  4 \  m.  It  begins  at  the  NW.  Boundary, 
at  22d  st.  W. ;  is  160  ft.  wide,  and  extends  to  the  Ana- 
costia  SE.,  intersecting  New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut 
avs.  at  19th  and  P  sts.  NW.,  forming  the  P-street  Circle; 
Vermont  av.  at  14th  and  M  sts.  NW.,  forming  the  Fourteenth- 
street  Circle;  New  Yorkav.  at  8th  and  K  sts.  NW.,  at  Mount 
Vernon  Place;  New  Jersey  av.  at  1st  and  G  sts.  N  W. ;  Del- 
aware av.,  between  E  and  F  sts.  NE. ;  Maryland  av.  and  5th 
and  C  sts.  NE.  at  Stanton  Place;  Tennessee,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Kentucky  avs.  and  E.  Capitol  and  12th  sts.  E.  at 
Lincoln  Square,  and  thence  to  the  Hospital  Grounds  on  the 
Anacostia. 

This  avenue  is  the  most  beautiful  in  the  city,  gradually 
rising  to  an  elevation  considerably  above  the  surrounding 
heights,  from  which  it  descends  in  easy  gradation  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  broad  intermediate  valley,  and  rises  again  on  the 
east.  On  its  route  are  the  finest  circles  and  squares.  The 
roadway  is  in  the  centre,  while  on  either  side  are  brick  side- 
walks and  plots  of  grass.  From  Kock  Creek  this  avenue  is 
paved  with  concrete,  and  from  that  point  to  New  Jersey  av. 
wood  pavement.    Beyond  it  is  ungraded. 

Vermont  and  Connecticut  Avenues,  130  ft.  wide, 
extending  respectively  NE.  and  NW.  from  the  N.  side  of 
Lafayette  Square,  pass  through  two  of  the  most  attractive 
portions  of  the  city. 

New  York  Avenue,  130  ft.  wide,  is  a  fine  thoroughfare. 
It  begins  at  the  Potomac  and  runs  across  the  city  in  a  NE. 
direction.  From  the  Treasury  Department  it  is  parked  in 
the  centre,  with  a  fine  vista  of  young  trees. 

Maryland  Avenue,  160  ft.  wide,  extends  NE.  across 


28 


DESCRIPTION  OF  AVENUES. 


the  city  from  Long  Bridge  to  the  Baltimore  Turnpike.  SW. 
of  the  Capitol  it  is  used  for  railroad  purposes. 

New  Jersey  and  Delaware  Avenues,  160  ft.  wide, 
begin  respectively  at  the  Anacostia  and  the  Arsenal  Grounds, 
and  run  NW.  and  NE.  to  the  Boundary,  crossing  each  other 
at  the  Capitol. 

Georgia  Avenue,  160  ft.  wide,  begins  at  the  Arsenal 
Grounds  and  runs  NE.,  near  and  parallel  to  the  Anacostia, 
striking  it  for  a  short  distance  W.  of  the  Navy  Yard,  and  ter- 
minates at  the  Hospital  Grounds. 

South  Carolina  Avenue,  160  ft.  wide,  begins  at  [Res- 
ervation No.  17,  S.  of  the  Capitol,  runs  NE.,  and  terminates 
in  Massachusetts  av. 

Virginia  Avenue,  120  ft.  wide,  begins  near  the  mouth 
of  Kock  Creek  and  runs  SE.,  crossing  New  Hampshire  and 
New  York  avs.,  to  the  Potomac,  near  the  SW.  corner  of  the 
President's  Grounds.  On  the  S.  boundary  of  the  Mall,  at 
12th  st.,  it  resumes,  the  width  being  160  ft.,  and  terminates 
at  the  Anacostia,  crossing  Maryland  av.,  Eeservation  No.  17, 
and  Georgia  av. 

Ehode  Island  Avenue,  130  ft.  wide,  starts  at  Connect- 
icut av.  and  M  st.  N.,  runs  NE.,  intersecting  Massachusetts 
av.  at  16th  and  N  sts.  NW. ;  Vermont  av.  at  13th  and  P  sts. 
NW.,  to  the  Boundary. 

New  Hampshire  Avenue  starts  at  the  Potomac,  be- 
tween E  and  F  sts.  N. ;  is  120  ft.  wide,  and  runs  NE.,  crossing 
Virginia  av.,  23d  and  P-street  Circles,  to  the  Boundary. 

Louisiana  Avenue,  160  ft.  wide,  begins  at  the  City  Hall, 
runs  SW.  to  Central  Market  Square,  crossing  Pennsylvania 
avenue. 

Indiana  Avenue,  160  ft.  wide,  begins  at  the  City  Hall, 
runs  SE.  to  1st  st.  W.  In  1850  it  was  improved  from  the  City 
Hall. 

Missouri  and  Maine  Avenues,  85  ft.  wide,  begin  at  the 
E.  line  of  the  Mall  at  6th  st.  W. :  run  respectively  SE.  and 
NE.  to  3d  st.  W.,  the  western  limit  of  the  Botanical  Garden. 

Ohio  Avenue  begins  at  the  E.  line  of  the  S.  Park  of  the 
President's  Grounds  at  C  st.  N. ;  runs  SE.  to  Centre  Market 
Square. 

North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky  Ave- 
nues, in  the  E.  part  of  the  city,  are  but  little  built  upon. 

All  these  avenues  are  more  or  less  improved  by  the  laying 
of  stone,  concrete,  wood,  cobble,  or  Belgian  pavements,  or 
macadamized  or  graveled  roads,  with  parking. 

Executive  Avenue,  the  construction  of  which  began  in 
1871,  begins  at  Pennsylvania  av.  E .  and  W.  of  the  President's 


DESCRIPTION  OF  AVENUES. 


29 


House,  and  opposite  15J  and  16J  sts.  W.  The  W.  entrances 
each  consist  of  6  massive  granite  gate-posts,  upon  which  are 
swung  iron  gates.  The  avenue  encloses  a  portion  of  the  Pres- 
ident's Grounds  on  the  E.  and  W.,  and  on  the  opposite  sides 
are  the  Treasury  Department  E.,  and  the  War  and  Navy  De- 
partment and  the  edifice  now  building  for  the  joint  use  of 
the  State,  War,  and  Navy  Departments  W.  A  granite  stair- 
case, 20  ft.  wide,  with  a  fountain  at  the  foot  of  the  E.  one,  is 
built  in  the  terrace  on  either  side  of  the  President's  House, 
completing  communication  by  the  gravel  walks  leading  to  the 
E  xecutive  Departments.  The  sidewalks  are  richly  paved  and 
well  lighted.  Passing  S.  of  the  President's  House,  on  either 
side,  at  the  prolongation  of  E  st.  1ST.,  the  two  wings  of  theav. 
form  a  semi-circle,  the  two  extremities  uniting  opposite  the  S. 
Portico  of  the  President's  House,  and  proceed  in  a  broad  sin- 
gle line  due  S.  to  B  st.  ST.,  where  the  av.  enters  the  Park  or 
Monument  Grounds,  and  joins  the  beautiful  Drive,  commenced 
in  1872,  connecting  the  President's  and  Capitol  Grounds. 

The  Drive. — Leaving  the  S.  terminus  of  Executive  sly., 
the  Drive,  consisting  of  a  graveled  roadway  of  35  ft.,  planted 
on  either  side  with  trees,  sweeps  along  the  banks  of  the  Po- 
tomac on  the  right,  affording  a  superb  view  of  the  expansive 
bosom  of  the  river  N.,  till  lost  behind  the  hill  crowned  by  the 
Naval  Observatory,  and  S.  as  far  as  the  Long  Bridge.  On  the 
left  is  a  Lake,  in  course  of  completion,  covering  3  a.,  fed  by  a 
spring  on  its  SE .  border  and  the  waters  of  the  Potomac.  With- 
in a  small  enclosure,  about  100  yds.  W.  of  the  Washington 
Monument,  and  on  the  left,  near  the  av.,  is  a  gray  freestone, 
a  little  over  2  ft.  in  height,  which  marks  the  centre  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  as  laid  out  in  1791-'92.  The  Drive  now 
winds  around  the  Monument.  On  the  S.  may  be  seen  the 
green-houses  and  plants  of  the  Government  Propagating  Gar- 
den. The  wooden  buildings,  still  standing  on  the  hill  near 
by  and  used  as  Government  hospitals  and  by  the  Commissary 
Department  of  the  United  States  Army  1861-'65,  are  now 
occupied  for  blacksmith-shops,  tools,  and  storage  by  the 
Eng.  in  charge  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds.  The  Drive 
enters  14th  st.  W.  nearly  opposite  the  entrance  of  the  Agricul- 
tural Gr omuls*  and  connects  with  the  carriage wa}^s  of  that 
beautiful  reservation.  At  this  point  also  commences  the  Mall, 
Prior  to  1816  this  attractive  portion  of  the  public  grounds 
was  covered  with  majestic  oaks,  which  were  cut  down  about 
that  year,  under  the  stipulation  in  the  agreement  of  the  Com- 
missioners with  the  original  proprietors  that  the  latter  should 
be  entitled  to  the  wood  on  the  lands.  Even  the  trees  which 
cast  a  grateful  shade  over  a  refreshing  spring  at  the  foot  of 
Capitol  Hill,  near  Pennyslvania  av.^  were  thus  destroyed. 


30 


STREETS. 


Crossing  12th  st.  W.,  the  drive  enters  the  quiet  retreat  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution;  and  leaving  this  at  7th  St.,  enters 
Armory  Square,  so  named  from  the  Armory  of  the  District 
Militia  located  on  the  S.  portion,  and  takes  a  winding  course 
to  6th  st.  W.  This  portion  of  the  roadway  is  1,300  ft.  long, 
and  will  cross  the  track  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Rail- 
road at  6th  st.  W.  on  an  ornamental  iron  bridge,  with  a  40 
ft.  roadway  and  12  ft.  sidewalk  on  either  side,  to  be  con- 
structed by  that  company  in  compliance  with  the  act  of  Con- 
gress. From  6th  st.  the  Drive  continues  through  the  reserva- 
tion to  4  J  st.  W.,  and  thence  W.  to  the  line  of  3d  st.  W., 
terminating  opposite  the  W.  entrance  to  the  Botanical  Gar- 
den. It  is  proposed  to  extend  the  Drive  across  the  garden, 
so  as  to  complete  the  connection  with  the  Capitol  Grounds 
without  leaving  the  line  of  the  Mall,  thus  carrying  out  the 
original  plan  of  the  city,  which  contemplated  a  walk  and 
drive  between  the  President's  House  and  the  Capitol.  The 
Drive,  in  connection  with  the  roads  of  the  Agricultural  and 
Smithsonian  grounds,  is  nearly  2  m.  in  length. 

Streets.— The  streets  of  the  city  run  from  IN",  to  S.  and  E. 
to  W.,  crossing  at  right  angles.  The  streets  running  N".  and 
S.  are  designated  numerically  and  by  the  words  E.  or  W., 
.according  to  their  positions  with  respect  to  the  Capitol,  which 
is  the  dividing  point — as  1st  st.  E.  of  the  Capitol,  or  1st  st. 
W.  of  the  Capitol,  and  so  on.  The  streets  running  E.  and 
W.  are  designated  by  the  letters  of  the  alphabet  and  by  the 
word  IS",  or  S.,  according  as  they  are  situated  N".  or  S.  of  the 
Capitol,  the  dividing  point — as  A  st.  N".,  A  st.  S.,  which  are 
the  first  streets  N".  and  S.  of  the  Capitol,  and  so  on.  The 
streets  E.  of  the  Capitol  number  from  1st  to  31st  st.,  includ- 
ing the  seven  subject  to  overflow,  and  W.  from  1st  to  28th  W. 

The  lettered  streets  run  to  W  st.  and  to  V  st.  S.  The 
limit  of  the  city  inland,  or  on  the  N.,  is  known  as  Boundary 
Street. 

To  avoid  confusion,  the  city  is  divided  into  4  quarters  or 
sections— NE.  and  W.,  SE.  and  SW.  1ST.  and  S.  Capitol 
sts.,  running  on  a  and  S.  line  from  the  Capitol  and  E. 
Capitol  st.,  and  the  prolongation  of  the  same  replaced  by  the 
Mall,  running  at  right  angles,  constitute  the  dividing  lines. 
The  streets  vary  in  width  from  70  to  160  ft.,  and  are  paved, 
macadamized,  or  graveled,  according  to  their  importance. 

The  avenues  and  streets  are  numbered  after  the  plan 
adopted  in  Philadelphia ;  that  is,  100  numbers  to  each  square, 
-commencing  E.  or  W.  and  1ST.  or  S.  of  the  Capitol.  For  in- 
stance, 100  would  be  the  first  number  beyond  1st  st.,  and 
200  beyond  2d  to  3d  st.,  and  so  on,  the  intermediate  numbers 


RENOMENCLATURE. 


31 


ending  in  the  block.  The  same  rule  is  adopted  for  lettered 
streets  and  avenues. 

Principal  Streets.— E.  Capitol  Street,  160  ft.  wide,  ex- 
tending in  front  of  the  Central  Portico  of  the  Capitol  E.  to 
the  Anacostia,  was  originally  designed  to  be  the  chief  street 
of  the  capital. 

N.  and  S.  Capitol  Streets,  each  130  ft.  wide,  and  re- 
ceive their  designation  from  the  direction  they  take  with 
respect  to  the  Capitol  as  the  centre.  These  streets  lie  on  the 
Jirst  meridian  or  longitude  for  the  United  States,  as  laid  down 
by  Ellicott,  1791. 

K  Street  N.,  the  longest  unbroken  lettered  street,  is  148 
ft.  wide,  and  extends  from  Rock  Creek  to  the  Anacostia.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  thoroughfares  of  the  city,  and  on 
much  of  its  length  is  bounded  on  either  side  by  line  residences. 

16th  Street  W.  is  160  ft.  wide,  and  extends  from  Lafay- 
ette Square,  opposite  the  N.  Portico  of  the  President's  House, 
due  N.  to  the  Boundary.    It  presents  a  line  prospect. 

Boundary  Street  follows  on  the  line  of  the  city  limits, 
from  the  intersection  of  Maryland  av.,  15th,  and  H  sts.  XE., 
to  Rock  Creek  on  the  W. 

There  are  a  few  streets  which  are  not  part  of  the  general 
plan  of  the  city.    These  vary  from  40  to  65  ft.  in  width. 

Eenomenclatnre, — It  is  proposed  to  abolish  the  present  sys- 
tem of  nomenclature  of  the  streets  with  duplicate  letters  and 
numbers.  This  plan  is  not  only  extremely  confusing  to  stran- 
gers, but  embarrassing  and  a  source  of  great  inconvenience 
to  residents.  The  proposed  renomenclature  contemplates  for 
streets  running  N.  and  S.  a  system  of  consecutive  numbers, 
beginning  at  28th  st.  W.,  which  would  be  1st  St.,  and  termi- 
nating at  31st  st.  E.,  which  would  be  60th  St.,  the  additional 
street  necessary  to  make  up  that  aggregate  being  4J  st.  W. 
or  21st  st.  First  sts.  W.  and  E.  at  the  Capitol  would  be  29th 
and  30th  sts.  respectively.  1ST.  and  S.  Capitol  sts.  would  re- 
tain their  present  names.  It  is  also  proposed  to  adopt  for  the 
streets  running  E.  and  W.  a  nomenclature  which  would  re- 
quire no  alteration  in  the  letters,  selecting  for  each  the  name 
of  some  citizen  eminent  in  the  service  of  the  Government  or 
in  private  life,  the  initial  letter  to  correspond  with  the  letter 
which  now  designates  the  street.  For  instance: 

Streets  North  of  the  Capitol — Adams,  Benton,  Clay  or  Clin- 
ton, Douglas,  Everett,  Franklin,  Gallatin,  Hamilton,  Jeffer- 
son, Kent,  Lincoln,  Marshall,  Nelson,  Otis,  Peabocly,  Quincy, 
Randolph,  Story,  Tompkins,  Upshur,  Van  Buren,  and  W eb- 
ster. 

Streets  South  of  the  Capitol — Anderson,  Bainbridge,  Chaun- 


32 


SEWERS. 


cey,  Decatur,  Ellsworth,  Farragut,  Grant,  Harrison,  Jackson, 
Knox,  Lawrence,  Marion,  Nash  or  Nicholson,  Overton,  Per- 
ry, Quitman,  Rougers,  Scott,  Taylor,  Union,  Van  Ness,  and 
Warren. 

Parking. — The  street  parks  and  sidewalks  of  the  avenues 
and  streets  are  generally  planted  with  trees  possessing  the 
merits  of  stateliness  and  symmetry  of  growth,  expansive  foli- 
age, early  spring  verdure,  variety  of  colors  in  autumn,  healthi- 
ness, cleanliness,  and  vigorous  and  rapid  growth.  The  varie- 
ties used  are  the  silver  maple,  American  linden,  European 
sycamore  maple,  American  elm,  tulip  tree,  sugar  maple,  sweet 
gum,  red  maple,  Norway  maple,  negundo,  American  ash, 
button  wood,  oaks,  and  European  ash  and  linden.  The  trees 
are  usually  planted  40  feet  apart.  The  American  white  elm 
has  been  planted  on  E.  Capitol  st.  The  supply  is  kept  up 
from  the  reserve  Nursery  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacostia  in 
the  grounds  S.  of  the  Alms  House,  where  there  is  constantly 
a  stock  of  upwards  of  20,000  plants  from  2  to  9  feet  in  height. 
In  1873,  6,000  young  trees  were  planted.  All  are  carefully 
boxed,  and  at  intervals  watered  and  pruned :  the  latter  in  or- 
der to  preserve  uniformity  of  growth.  The  narrow  roadways 
and  side  or  centre  parking  of  the  wider  avenues  and  streets 
overcome  their  barren  appearance,  and  adds  vastly  to  the 
adornment  of  the  capital. 

Quarters. — The  arrangement  of  the  streets  with  respect  to 
the  Capitol,  as  we  have  seen,  divides  the  city  into  4  sections. 
The  Northwest  Quarter  constitutes  the  finest  portions  of  the 
capital,  embracing  the  President's  House,  all  the  Departments 
and  Foreign  Legations,  the  principal  business  establishments, 
fashionable  residences  and  squares.  The  Southivest  Quarter, 
formerly  known  as  "  the  Island,"  from  its  separation  from  the 
rest  of  the  city  by  the  Washington  Canal,  now  filled,  is  gen- 
erally the  quarter  of  persons  of  moderate  means.  In  it  are 
also  the  wharves.  The  Northeast  Quarter  is  the  same  as  the 
SW.  The  Southeast  Quarter,  with  a  small  portion  of  the  NE., 
is  known  as  u  Capitol  Hill,"  from  the  Capitol,  which  stands 
on  the  W.  brow.  It  was  intended,  originally,  to  make  it  by 
art  what  it  is  by  nature — the  finest  portion  of  the  city.  It  has 
many  attractions,  and  promises,  in  time,  to  compete  with  the 
magnificence  of  the  West  End. 

Sewers. — The  cities  of  Washington  and  Georgetown,  for 
the  purpose  of  sewerage  and  drainage,  are  divided  into  5  sec- 
tions. 1st.  Georgetown,  embracing  the  limits  of  that  city. 
2d.  Slash  Run,  beginning  at  the  intersection  of  Rock  Creek 
and  K  st.  N  W. ;  thence  along  K  to  21st  NW. ;  along  21st  to 
I  st.  N. ;  along  I  to  17th  W. ;  along  17th  to  H  st.  N. ;  along 


SEWERS. 


33 


H  to  16th  W.;  along  16th  to  I  st.  N. ;  along  I  to  loth  W.; 
along  loth  to  Vermont  av. ;  along  Vermont  av.  to  14th  W. ; 
along  14th  to  Boundary ;  along  Boundary  to  Kock  Creek ; 
along  Rock  Creek  to  beginning.  3d.  The  intermediate  sec- 
tion, beginning  at  the  intersection  of  Rock  Creek  andK  st. 
W. ;  thence  along  K  to  21st  NW. ;  thence  alons:  21st  to  I  st. 
NW. ;  thence  along  I  to  19th  NW.  to  G  st.  NW. ;  thence 
along  G  to  the  Potomac  River ;  along  Potomac  River  and  Rock 
Creek  to  the  beginning.  4th.  The  intercepting  section,  be- 
ginning at  the  intersection  of  Potomac  River  and  G  st.  NW. ; 
thence  along  G  to  19th  NW.;  thence  along  19th  to  I  st.  NW. ; 
along  I  to  17th ;  along  17th  to  H  st.  N. ;  along  H  to  16th  W. ; 
along  16th  to  I  st.  N. ;  along  I  to  15th  W. ;  along  loth  to  Ver- 
mont av. ;  along  Vermont  av.  to  14th  W. ;  along  14th  to  N 
st.  N. ;  along  N  to  Vermont  av;  along  Vermont  av.  to  O  st. 
N. ;  along  O  to  7th  NW. ;  along  7th  to  B  st.  N. ;  along  B  to 
6th  W. ;  along  6th  to  B  st.  S.  *  along  B  to  Potomac  River; 
along  Potomac  River  following  the  borders  of  stream  to  be- 
ginning. 5th.  The  Tiber  Basin,  beginning  at  intersection  of 
Boundary  and  14th  st.  W. ;  along  14th  to  N  st.  N. ;  along  N 
to  Vermont  av. ;  along  Vermont  av.  to  O  st.  N. ;  along  O  to 
7th  W. ;  along  7th  to  B  st.  N. ;  along  B  to  6th  W. ;  along  6th 
to  B  st.  S. ;  along  B  to  Potomac  River ;  along  Potomac  River 
to  the  Anacostia;  along  the  Anacostia  to  C  st.  NE.;  along 
C  to  loth  E. ;  along  15th  to  Boundary;  along  Boundary  to 
beginning. 

The  sewerage  of  the  city  formerly  drained  into  the  canal, 
which  crossed  the  city  from  the  Anacostia  to  the  Potomac  S. 
of  the  President's  Grounds.  From  3d  to  15th  st.  W.  it  ran 
directly  in  front  of  the  Capitol,  and  separated  the  beautiful 
grounds  on  the  Mall  from  the  rest  of  the  city.  This  open  mass 
of  filth  and  disease  was  filled  in  1872. 

The  B-street  Intercepting  Sewer,  1  m.  in  length  and  12 
ft.  in  diameter,  was  constructed  in  place  of  the  canal.  The 
main  branch  empties  into  the  Potomac  at  the  foot  of  17th 
st.  W.  One  of  the  largest  sewers  in  the  world  is  the  Tiber- 
creek  Sewer,  so  named  from  the  stream  which  flows  through 
it.  It  is  a  brick  arch  24  to  30  ft.  span,  and  15  ft.  high,  and 
drains  the  entire  city  E*  of  6th  st.  W. — about  3,000  acres.  Its 
outlet  is  at  the  Tiber  arch,  near  the  W.  entrance  to  the  Botan- 
ical Garden,  on  3d  st.  W.,  into  which  the  smaller  branch  of  the 
intersecting  or  canal  sewer  from  7th  st.  W.  empties.  The  line 
of  this  great  sewer,  from  its  mouth,  passes  under  the  Botan- 
ical Garden  and  Pennsylvania  av.  N.  to  E  st.  N.  at  its  junc- 
tion with  N.  Capitol  St.,  which  it  follows  to  K  st.  N.  The 
portion  from  H  to  K  st.  is  now  under  construction.  The 
destination  of  this  sewer  is  the  Boundary,  reached  along  K 
3 


34 


SQUARES. 


st.  N.  to  1st  st.  E. ;  thence  by  the  latter.  When  completed,  it 
will  be  2  m.  in  length.  Branch  sewers  of  9  ft.  each  are  being 
built  out  from  3d  st.  NW.  and  F  st.  NE.  From  the  Tiber 
arch  a  large  sewer  extends  SE.  The  Slash-run  Sewer,  \  m. 
long,  10  ft.  span,  named  after  the  natural  watercourses  which 
enter  the  city  in  several  branches  on  its  N  W.  boundary,  empties 
into  Rock  Creek.  A  9-ft.  conduit  sewer  is  also  being  built 
along  Boundary  st.,  in  the  £STE.  part  of  the  city,  as  supple* 
mentary  to  the  Tiber-basin  system.  Small  tile  and  pipe  sew- 
ers convey  the  sewerage  of  streets  and  dwellings  into  the 
general  system.  There  are  about  10  m.  of  main  sewerage, 
including  5  m.  of  brick  sewers,  from  4  to  9  ft.  in  diameter, 
and  80  m.  of  tile  and  pipe. 

Squares. — In  addition  to  the  grounds  attached  to  the  public 
buildings,  and  which  will  be  described  in  that  connection, 
there  are  a  number  of  beautiful  squares  in  various  parts  of  the 
city.    Those  W.  of  the  Capitol  are — 

"Lafayette  Square,  a  parallelogram  of  7  a.,  N.  of  the 
President's  House,  and  between  15 \  and  16 J  sts.,  frequently 
popularly  known  as  Madison  and  Jackson  sts.,  respectively, 
from  the  early  residence  of  those  distinguished  gentlemen 
upon  them.  The  broad  av.  extending  to  the  X.  is  16th  St., 
the  high  ground  at  its  terminus  being  Meridian  Hill.  From 
the  President's  Grounds  on  the  S.  it  is  separated  by  a  broad 
av.,  which  extends  from  15th  to  17th  sts.  This  square  is  beau- 
tifully laid  out  in  graveled  walks  with  seats.  It  is  adorned 
with  trees  and  shrubbery,  many  of  them  rare  and  valuable 
species  and  in  pleasing  variety.  It  is  lighted  throughout 
with  gas,  two  of  the  lamp-posts  combining  drinking  foun- 
tains. A  watchman's  lodge,  also  partly  for  the  public,  stands 
on  the  jST.  side.  The  building  is  approached  at  either  end  by 
circular  walks,  screened  by  rows  of  evergreens  upon  each 
side  and  in  front  flower  beds.  Two  bronze  Vases  7  ft.  high, 
weighing  1,300  lbs.  each,  mounted  on  granite  pedestals,  stand 
on  the  E.  and  W.  sides  of  the  square.  These  are  copies  from 
an  antique  vase,  and  are  the  work  of  the  brass  foundry  of  the 
Navy  Yard.  They  were  cast  with  the  permission  of  Mr.  Robe- 
son, Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  reflect  great  credit  upon  the 
workshops  of  the  Government.  In  the  centre  of  this  square 
is  Clark  Mills's  equestrian  statue  of  General  Andrew  Jackson, 
contracted  for  by  the  Jackson  Monument  Association,  com- 
posed of  the  friends  and  admirers  of  the  subject,  who  sub- 
scribed $12,000  for  the  purpose.  In  1848  Congress  granted 
to  the  Association  the  brass  guns  and  mortars  captured  by 
the  General  at  Pensacola.  In  1850  an  additional  number  of 
brass  guns  and  national  trophies,  sufficient  to  complete  the 


SQUARES.  35 

statue,  were  donated  by  Congress.  In  1852  Congress  appro- 
priated funds  for  the  erection  of  the  marble  pedestal  upon 
which  it  stands,  and  in  1853  made  a  further  appropriation  of 
$20,000  for  the  statue  itself,  and  made  it  the  property  of  the 
United  States.  The  statue  is  one  third  larger  than  life,*  weighs 


JACKSON  EQUESTRIAN  STATUE. 


15  tons,  and  cost,  inclusive  of  the  value  of  metal  and  the 
amount  contributed  by  the  Association,  $50,000.  The  hind 
parts  and  tail  of  the  horse  being  solid,  the  animal  is  poised, 
without  the  aid  of  iron  rods  or  other  devices  as  in  the  great 
statues  of  Peter  the  Great,  George  III,  and  the  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington. This  was  the  first  application  of  this  principle.  The 
statue  was  unveiled  in  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  peo- 
ple, Stephen  A.  Douglas  delivering  the  oration,  on  the  8th 
day  of  January,  1853,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  New 
Orleans,  in  which  General  Jackson  routed  the  British  forces 
under  Sir  John  Packenham. 

From  the  N.  line  of  Lafayette  Square,  on  the  E.  and  W. 
extremities  respectively,  diverge  Vermont  and  Connecticut 
avs.  On  the  former,  just  beyond  I  st.  W.,  the  first  trans- 
verse st.  N.,  is  Scott  Square,  and  .  in  the  corresponding  loca- 


36 


SQUARES. 


tion  on  Connecticut  a  v.  is  Farragut  Square,  each  containing 
\\  a.  Both  these  squares  have  a  paved  roadway  of  24  ft. 
width  cut  through  them,  running  on  a  line  with  the  avs. 
They  are  laid  out  in  walks,  with  seats  and  drinking  fountains 
for  pedestrians,  and  are  in  every  way  attractive  popular  re- 
sorts for  the  neighborhood.  In  the  centre  of  Farragut  Square 
is  an  ellipse,  in  which  will  be  placed  the  Colossal  Statue  of  Ad- 
miral Farragut,  for  which  $20,000  was  voted  by  resolution  of 
Congress  April  16,  1872. 

At  the  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  avs. 
and  X  and  16th  sts.  NW.,  less  than  ten  minutes'  walk  on 
16th  st.,  due  N.  of  the  President's  House,  is  an  unnamed 
square  of  about  1  a.,  situated  in  one  of  the  most  interesting 
portions  of  the  city.  In  this  square,  erected  in  1874,  stands 
the  Colossal  Bronze  Equestrian  Statue  of  Brevet  Lieutenant 
General  Winfield  Scott,  ordered  by  Congress  in  1867.  This 
magnificent  work  of  art  represents  the  General  in  full 
uniform,  mounted  on  a  war  charger  at  rest.  He  holds  the 
reins  in  the  left  hand  and  a  pair  of  field  glasses  in  the  right, 
the  latter  resting  against  his  hip,  and  with  calm  martial  bear- 
ing surveys  the  field.  The  figure  is  10  ft.  from  the  stirrups 
to  the  chapeau  and  horse  and  rider  15  ft.  The  pose  is  one 
of  grace,  dignity,  and  firmness.  The  charger,  with  ears 
thrown  up  and  nostrils  dilated,  every  vein  flushed  with  life, 
stands  ready  to  obey  the  commands  of  his  rider.  The  design 
is  by  H.  K.  Brown,  sculptor,  New  York,  and  was  cast  by 
Eobert  Wood  &  Co.,  of  Philadelphia,  out  of  bronze  cannon, 
trophies  of  the  valor  and  skill  of  the  General  in  the  Mexican 
war,  and  donated  by  Congress.  The  statue  weighs  12,000 
pounds,  involved  the  labor  of  eight  skillful  artists  nine 
months,  and  has  cost  $20,000.  The  statue  is  considered  one 
of  the  finest  of  the  kind  ever  made  in  the  United  States,  and 
is  not  only  creditable  to  the  sculptor  and  the  founders,  but  to 
American  art.  The  pedestal  stands  14  ft  high,  consisting  of 
platform,  sub-base,  base,  die,  and  cap,  of  Cape  Ann  granite, 
in  five  large  blocks.  Total  height  of  the  pedestal  and  statue 
29  ft.  The  platform  is  26  ft.  long,  13  ft.  wide,  and  2  ft. 
thick,  and  weighs  119  tons  1,197  lbs;  sub-base,  20  ft.  X  10 
ft.  X  1  ft.,  84^tons;  base,  17  ft.  X  7  ft.  X  3  ft.,  41  tons; 
die,  15  ft.  X  5  ft.  X  5  ft.,  38  tons;  and  cap,  17  ft.  X  7  ft.  X 
3  ft.,  37  tons  1,500  lbs.  Total  weight  of  pedestal,  320  tons 
697  lbs.  The  entire  pedestal,  when  quarried,  weighed  400 
tons  621  Hbs.  These  are  the  largest  stones  ever  successfully 
quarried  in  this  country,  and  among  the  largest,  if  not  quite 
so,  in  the  world.  Great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  their 
removal  to  the  seacoast,  whence  they  were  transported  to 
the  National  Capital  by  sea.    The  site  for  this  statue  is  ad- 


SQUARES. 


37 


mirably  chosen,  the  broad  street  and  intersecting  avenues 
affording  a  view  of  it  from  various  parts  of  the  city. 

Franklin  Square,  between  13th  and  14th  sts.  W.  and 
I  and  K  sts.  N.,  comprises  4  a.,  and  was  purchased  by  the 
Government  in  1829  in  order  to  secure  control  of  a  fine  spring, 
the  waters  of  which,  as  early  as  1832,  were  conveyed  in  pipes 
to  the  President's  House  and  Executive  offices.  This  water 
is  still  used  for  drinking  purposes  at  the  President's  House, 
it  being  considered  better  than  that  from  the  Potomac.  The 
spring  lies  N.  of  the  fountain,  beneath  two  iron  and  stone 
covers,  built  in  the  arch  constructed  over  the  spring.  It  was 
not  until  1851  that  this  square  was  laid  out.  In  the  centre  is 
a  small  fountain,  with  a  basin  30  ft.  in  diameter,  and  a  keep- 
er's lodge,  with  other  conveniences,  near  by.  There  are  also 
several  drinking  fountains.  The  square  is  planted  with  a 
pleasing  variety  of  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs. 

Judiciary  Square,  on  the  original  plan  of  tihe  city,  was 
designated  reservation  No.  9,  and  was  set  apart  for  the  then 
contemplated  buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  the  judicial 
branch  of  the  Government.  It  comprises  19^  a.,  and  ex- 
tends on  the  S.  from  the  intersection  of  Louisiana  and  Indi- 
ana avs.,  at  the  head  of  4 J  st.  W.  to  G  st.  N.,  and  between 
4th  and  5th  sts.  W.  The  S.  portion,  fronting  on  4£  st.,  is 
occupied  by  the  City  Hall. 

On  the  E.  side,  beyond  E  St.,  was  erected  the  immense 
temporary  wooden  structure  for  the  ball  given  in  honor  of 
the  Second  Inauguration  of  President  Grant,  March  4,  1873. 
In  the  NE.  angle  is  the  Jail.  On  the  W.  side,  during  the  re- 
bellion, 1861-'65,  wooden  buildings  were  erected  for  soldiers' 
hospitals,  afterwards  donated  to  the  uses  of  the  Women's 
Christian  Association,  but  since  removed.  This  square  is 
being  made  one  of  the  most  attractive  in  the  city. 

Eawlins  Square,  on  New  York  av.,  SW.  of  the  Pres- 
ident's Grounds,  between  18th  and  19th  sts.  W.,  containing 
about  1J  a.,  is  beautifully  laid  out,  with  walks,  trees,  ever- 
greens, and  shrubbery.  It  has  two  small  rustic  fountains, 
with  ornamental  margins  and  centre-pieces  of  rock-work. 
This  square,  prior  to  1872,  was  a  low,  desolate  waste.  It  was 
then  filled  8  ft.  to  grade.  In  1874  was  erected  there  the  heroic 
sized  bronze  statue  of  Brigadier  General  John  A.  Rawlins,  of 
Illinois,  Adjutant  General  and  chief  of  staff  to  General  U.  S. 
Grant,  1864-'65,  and  Secretary  of  War,  1869.  It  was  ordered 
by  Congress  in  1872,  executed  bv  J.  Bailey,  of  Pennsylvania, 
1873,  cast  by  Robert  Wood  &  Co.,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, cost  $10,000,  measures  8  ft.  in  height,  and  weighs  1,400 
lbs.    The  Virginia  granite  pedestal,  12  ft.  high,  cost  $2,500. 

Mount  Vernon  Place,  at  the  intersection  of  Massachu- 


38 


CIRCLES. 


setts  and  New  York  avs.  and  K  and  8th  sts.  NW.,  till  1871, 
was  occupied  on  the  E.  half  by  the  Northern  Market.  It  is 
now  beautif Lilly  laid  out  and  planted.  In  the  centre  is  a 
raised  circular  space,  containing  a  bronze  fountain. 

A  short  distance  S.  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  on  the  E.  side 
of  6th  st.  W.,  is  what  is  known  as  Circus  Lot;  that  part  of 
the  reservation  in  which  it  is  embraced  being  set  apart  for 
that  purpose.  The  rents  are  contributed  to  charitable  insti- 
tutions. 

There  are  other  spaces  in  the  W.  portions  of  the  city,  but 
are  without  name.  Of  these  is  the  wedge-shaped  space,  of 
about  4  a.,  between  3d  and  4J  sts.  and  Missouri  and  Maine 
avs.,  lying  W.  of  the  Botanical  Garden ;  and  adjoining  it, 
on  the  W.,  another  area  of  17 J  a.,  which  extends  to  7th  st. 
The  W*  portion  is  known  as  Armory  Square,  from  being  the 
site  of  the  District  Armory.  Also  one  of  J  a.,  N.  of  the 
Mall,  at  the  intersection  of  Ohio  and  Louisiana  avs. 

Lincoln  Square  lies  1  m.  directly  E.  of  the  central  Por- 
tico of  the  Capitol,  on  E.  Capitol  St.,  and  at  the  intersection 
of  Massachusetts,  North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky 
avs.  It  comprises  6J  a.,  and  is  beautifully  laid  out  in  walks 
and  planted  with  trees  and  shrubs.  In  the  centre  is  a  raised 
circular  mound,  on  which  it  is  proposed  to  erect  a  statue  to 
the  President  from  whom  the  square  received  its  name.  On 
either  side  is  a  small  fountain.  It  wTas  in  this  square,  in  the 
original  embellishment  of  the  Capital,  that  the  Historic  Col- 
umn was  to  be  built ;  to  serve  also  as  a  Mile  or  Itinerary  Col- 
umn, from  which  all  geographical  distances  in  the  United 
States  were  to  be  calculated.  There  is  an  excellent  distant 
view  of  the  Capitol  from  here. 

Stanton  Place  lies  NE.  of  the  Capitol,  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  Maryland  and  Massachusetts  avs.,  and  comprises  3  J  a. 

A  short  distance  S.  of  the  Capitol,  at  the  convergence  of 
New  Jersey,  South  Carolina,  and  North  Carolina  avs.,  is  a 
large  tract,  originally  laid  out  as  Eeservation  No.  17.  It 
contains  23£  a.,  or,  on  the  first  maps,  21  a.,  and  was  set  off 
as  the  site  for  the  Town  House  or  City  Hall,  but  has  never 
since  been  considered  in  that  connection.  It  is  still  with- 
out improvement,  though  the  subject  has  been  called  to  the 
attention  of  Congress. 

There  are  other  squares  in  the  SE .  parts  of  the  city  vacant 
and  unimproved.  Of  these  might  be  mentioned  one  of  3 J  a., 
at  the  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  and  North  Carolina  avs.; 
one  of  2|  a.,  at  the  intersection  of  Pennsylvania  and  South 
Carolina  avs.;  and  one  of  1J  a.,  on  North  Carolina  av.,  be- 
tween 2d  and  3d  sts.  E.  It  is  the  purpose  to  extend  to  these 
spaces  the  improvements  contemplated. 


ORNAMENTAL  GARDENING. 


Circles, — The  space  at  the  intersections  of  the  more  im- 
portant avenues  forms  what  are  termed  circles. 

Washington  Circle,  23d  st.  W.,  at  the  intersection  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New 
Hampshire  a  vs.,  con- 
tains the  Equestrian 
Statue  of  GeneralGeorge 
Washington,  by  Clark 
Mills,  ordered  by  Con- 
gress in  1853,  cost  $50,- 
000,  and  was  cast  out  of 
guns  donated  by  Con- 
gress. 

It  represents  Washington  at 
the  crisis  of  the  Battle  of  Prince- 
ton, the  horse  shrinking  before 
the  stcrm  of  shot  and  the  din  of 
conflict,  while  the  rider  preserve? 
that  equanimity  of  bearing  native 
to  his  great  character. 

The  Fourteenth- 
street  Circle,  at  the 

intersection  of    Mas^a-  Washington  equestrian  statue. 

chusetts  and  Vermont 

ave.,  is  chastely  laid  out  in  walks,  and  planted  with  ever- 
greens, shrubs,  and  flowers.  In  the  centre  is  a  rustic  fountain, 
with  a  Scotch  terra-cotta  foundation-bowl  and  rustic  stone 
centre-piece,  and  in  different  parts  of  the  circle  are  rustic  stone 
and  wooden  seats.  A  short  distance  beyond,  on  Vermont  av., 
at  the  intersection  of  Khode  Island  av.,  is  the  Thirteenth- 
street  Circle,  as  yet  without  particular  improvement. 

P-STREET  Circle,  at  the  intersection  of  Connecticut,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  New  Hampshire  a  vs.,  is  laid  out  in  walks  and 
lighted. 

It  is  designed  to  erect  in  this  circle  a  fountain  50  ft.  in  diameter,  with  coping  and 
centre-piece  of  handsome  design  in  marble  or  granite.  A  fine  selection  of  evergicens 
and  trees  will  also  be  planted. 

The  terminus  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  on  the  Anacostia, widens 
into  a  semi-circle  of  nearly  5  acres,  as  yet  but  little  improved. 

Triangles. — At  the  intersection  of  the  avenues  and  streets 
are  small  spaces  designated  Triangular  Eeservations.  Many 
of  these  E.  and  W.  of  the  Capitol  are  planted  with  trees  and 
shrubs,  and  are  further  beautified  with  small  fountains. 

Birds. — A  flock  of  imported  sparrows  was  set  at  liberty  in  the  public  grounds  in 
1871,  for  the  destruction  of  insects.  Each  year  new  cages  are  placed  in  the  trees 
for  the  accommodation  of  their  increased  numbers.  These  useful  birds  are  fed  reg- 
ularly every  morning  during  the  winter  in  Franklin,  Lafayette,  and  other  squares. 

Ornamental  Gardening.— In  1851  A.  J.  Downing,  the  cele- 
brated landscape  gardener,  was  employed  by  the  Government 


40 


engineer's  office. 


to  lay  out  the  public  parks  and  reservations.  The  grounds 
of  the  President's  House  were  to  be  extended  to  the  line  of 
the  Washington  Canal,  now  B  st.  N.,  and  to  be  laid  out  with 
a  circular  parade-ground,  lined  with  trees  in  the  centre.  A 
carriageway,  by  means  of  a  suspension  bridge,  was  to  con- 
nect the  S.  Park  of  those  grounds  with  the  Mall,  near  the 
Washington  Monument.  A  drive  was  to  follow  the  Mall  to 
the  Capitol.  The  Mall  itself  was  to  be  beautifully  adorned 
with  lawns,  walks,  drives,  trees,  and  shrubbery.  Lafayette, 
Franklin,  and  the  other  squares  were  to  be  iaid  out  by  the 
same  person.  The  admirable  schemes  of  improvement  con- 
templated by  this  truly  artistic  gardener  were  suddenly  in- 
terrupted by  his  death  in  1852.  During  the  single  year  of 
his  service  he  prepared  a  general  plan  for  the  laying  out  and 
beautifying  of  the  public  grounds.  This,  in  a  great  measure, 
has  been  carried  out  by  his  successors.  In  the  Smithsonian 
Grounds  may  be  seen  a  beautiful  Vase,  erected  by  the  Amer- 
ican Pomological  Society  to  the  memory  of  Downing.  A 
description  of  this  tribute  to  his  genius  will  be  found  in  its 
appropriate  place. 

Previous  to  this  the  attempts  at  the  appropriate  laying  out 
and  planting  of  the  public  parks  were  both  crude  and  spas- 
modic. In  1826,  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  after  the 
Government  had  made  the  city  its  permanent  seat,  there 
were  no  public  walks,  save  the  dusty  avenues.  In  1831  the 
grounds  around  the  Capitol  and  President's  House  were  still 
in  the  unkempt  condition  of  nature  unadorned.  In  1832  the 
old  Treasury  Building  was  enclosed.  The  next  year  the 
pedestal  wall  and  railing  were  placed  in  front  of  the  Park  of 
the  President's  House,  and  the  S.  Park,  near  the  mansion,  was 
planted  with  trees.  In  1834  the  foot  and  carriageway  were 
completed.  In  1835  Lafayette  Square  was  improved  and 
planted,  and  supplied  with  lamps.  In  1837  the  W.  Park  of 
the  Capitol  Grounds  was  extended  to  take  in  part  of  the  Mall 
from  the  circular  road  around  the  building  to  1st  st.  W.,  mak- 
ing an  addition  of  8  a.  The  park  was  walled  in  and  the  grounds 
laid  out  in  walks  and  supplied  with  fountains.  In  the  same 
year  the  President's  Grounds  were  in  more  creditable  condi- 
tion. In  the  S.  park,  towards  the  then  line  of  the  canal,  it  was 
proposed  to  lay  out  an  extensive  fish-pond,  to  supply  the  Presi- 
dent's table  with  fish.  The  public  grounds,  an  eyesore  to 
the  community  and  a  reflection  upon  the  tase  and  liberality 
of  Congress,  were  again  neglected. 

Office,  Engineer  in  Charge. —  In  1871  a  system  of  improvements  was 
inaugurated  by  Maior  O.  E.  Babcock,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  in  charge  of 
Public  Buildings,  Grounds,  and  Works.  Congress  annually  appropriates  from 
$100,000  to  $300,000,  to  be  expended  under  the  Engineer's  office,  for  salaries  ; 


BOTANICAL  GARDEN. 


41 


the  improvement  and  care  of  the  public  grounds  not  otherwise  specially  assigned; 
repairs  and  refurnishing  the  President's  House,  green-houses,  and  for  fuel ;  light- 
ing the  Capitol,  President's  House,  and  public  grounds;  and  construction  and  re- 
pairs of  all  bridges  on  the  Potomae  and  Anacostia,  and  repairing  and  extension  of 
Government  water-pipes. 

Propagating  Garden,— The  Government  Propagating  Gar- 
den, originally  on  Missouri  av.,  between  3d  and  sts.  W., 
is  beautifully  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  S.  of  the 
Washington  Monument.  The  garden  covers  8  a.  The  forc- 
ing houses  are  supplied  with  apparatus  for  the  propagation 
and  growth  of  plants  of  the  rarest  species  and  varieties.  In 
1872,  from  the  old  garden,  upwards  of  20,000  papers  of  flower 
seeds  were  collected  and  cured.  These,  with  surplus  plants, 
sometimes  numbering  upwards  of  10,000,  consisting  of  roses, 
chrysanthemums,  verbenas,  geraniums,  begonias,  and  other 
hot-house  annuals  and  shrubs  propagated  at  these  gardens, 
were  distributed  to  members  of  Congress,  and  others  notified 
by  circular  letter  that  such  stock  was  ready.  A  Nursery  is 
connected  with  the  garden,  in  which  trees  and  shrubs  are 
grown  for  the  supply  of  the  public  parks. 


Copyright,  1874:  L'eB.  11.  Keim. 

BOTANICAL  GARDEN  AND  GREEN-HOU8E. 


Botanical  Garden.—  Open  daily,  9  a.  m.  to  6  p.  w?.-—  This 
instructive  place  of  public  resort  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  Capi- 
tol Hill,  extending  from  1st  to  3d  sts.  W.,  and  between  Penn- 
sylvania and  Maryland  avs.  There  are  two  main  entrances  for 
pedestrians,  one  opposite  the  main  central  W.  gate  of  the  Cap- 
itol Park  and  the  other  on  3d  St.,  opposite  the  E.  end  of  the 
Drive.  Each  entrance  consists  of  four  marble  and  brick  gate 
piers,  with  iron  gates.  No  wheeled  vehicles  are  permitted  in 
the  garden.  The  avenues  diverging  from  the  W.  Capitol  Park 
give  the  garden  a  wedge-shape,  the  narrower  end  facing  the 
W.  front  of  the  Capitol.   It  comprises  10  a.,  surrounded  by 


42 


BOTANICAL  GARDEN. 


a  low,  brick  wall,  with  stone  coping  and  iron  railing,  and  is 
laid  out  in  walks,  lawns,  and  flower-beds.  jST.  of  the  Main 
Conservatory  is  a  large  fountain,  with  9  main  jets  and  a  mar- 
ble basin  93  ft.  in  diameter.  The  fountain  is  supplied  from 
the  Acqueduct,  and  throws  its  highest  stream  to  an  altitude 
of  65  ft.  This  fountain  in  full  play  presents  a  beautiful  ef- 
fect, especially  when  reflecting  the  rays  of  the  sun.  S.  of 
the  Conservatory  is  a  smaller  fountain,  with  a  granite  basin. 
During  the  summer  the  hardiest  plants,  in  boxes,  are  ranged 
on  either  side  of  the  main  walk,  and  contribute  materially  to 
the  beauty  of  the  garden. 

The  Main  Conservatory,  commenced  in  1867  from  designs 
by  Mr.  Clark,  Architect  of  the  Capitol,  consists  of  a  central 
dome  and  two  wings.  The  base  is  of  marble  and  the  super- 
structure iron.  The  entire  length  is  300  ft.,  greatest  width 
60  ft.,  height  of  dome  40  ft.,  and  wings  25  ft.  The  dome  is 
supported  on  a  brick  column,  which  answers  the  double  pur- 
pose of  being  a  chimney  also.  Around  this  column  winds  an 
iron,  spiral  staircase,  which  leads  to  a  cupola  surrounded  by 
a  balustrade.  From  this  point  the  finest  view  of  the  W.  front 
of  the  Capitol  may  be  obtained.  The  key  is  kept  by  the  Su- 
perintendent. There  are  10  smaller  Conservatories,  of  brick 
and  wood,  in  one  of  which  is  a  Lecture  or  Botanical  Class- 
room, with  accommodations  for  100  students.  The  latter  fea- 
ture contemplates  the  appointment  of  a  Professor  of  Botany 
by  the  colleges  of  the  capital  to  hold  lectures  here.  All  the 
conservatories  are  heated  by  hot  water,  conducted  in  iron 
pipes,  supplied  from  5  boilers.  Three  of  the  boilers  are  in  the 
vaults  under  the  pavement  of  the  dome  of  the  Main  Conser- 
vatory. The  object  of  the  garden  is  education  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  rare  plants.  For  the  latter  purpose  there  are  4 
conservatories  devoted  to  propagation.  All  seeds  are  saved. 
The  garden  is  under  the  control  of  the  Joint  Committee  of 
Congress  on  the  Library.  Each  member  of  Congress,  on  ap- 
plying to  the  chairman  of  the  committee  for  plants  or  seeds, 
is  supplied,  if  practicable.  Boquets  are  frequently  obtained 
hi  the  same  way. 

Botanical  Collection. — The  first  collection  of  plants  in 
this  National  Conservatory  was  brought  to  the  United  States 
by  the  Exploring  Expedition  to  the  Southern  Hemisphere, 
1838-'42,  commanded  by  Captain  (Rear  Admiral)  Charles 
Wilkes.  The  collection  was  first  deposited  in  the  Patent 
Office,  but  in  1850  was  removed  to  the  Botanical  Garden. 
Some  of  the  plants  are  still  living,  and  a  large  share  of  the 
present  collection  are  the  descendants  of  those  brought  back 
by  the  Wilkes  Expedition.  A  few  have  furnished  represent- 
atives for  many  of  the  principal  conservatories  of  the  United 
States  and  Europe. 


BOTANICAL  GARDEN. 


43 


The  disposition  of  the  collection  is  according  to  a  geograph- 
ical distribution.  The  strictly  tropical  plants  occupy  the  cen- 
tre Conservatory,  and  those  of  a  semi-tropical  nature,  requir- 
ing protection  and  lying  towards  the  N.  pole,  are  placed  in 
the  W.  range  and  wing;  and  all  indigenous  to  countries 
lying  towards  the  S.  pole  are  in  the  E.  range  and  wing. 

The  Centre  Building  or  Rotunda,  temperature  80°,  contains 
a  fine  variety  of  the  majestic  palms,  called  by  Martins  the 
princes  of  vegetation,  and  of  which  there  are  300  kinds,  the 
most  prominent  being  here  represented.  The  most  interest- 
ing in  the  collection  is  the  palm  tree  of  Scripture,  familiarly 
known  as  the  date  palm.  Jericho,  the  City  of  Palms,  was 
so  called  from  the  numbers  of  this  tree  growing  in  its  vicin- 
ity. It  was  recommended  to  be  used  by  the  Jews  in  the 
Feast  of  Tabernacles.  In  Arabia,  Egypt,  and  Persia  it  sup- 
plies almost  every  want  of  the  inhabitants.  The  fruit  is 
used  for  food,  the  leaves  for  shelter,  the  wood  for  fuel,  and 
the  sap  for  spirituous  liquor.  It  matures  in  10  years  and 
then  fruits  for  centuries,  bearing  from  1  to  300  cwt.  at  a 
time.  Among  the  Arabs  the  pollen  dust  is  preserved  from 
year  to  year,  and  at  the  season  of  impregnation  of  the  pistils 
or  female  flowers  a  feast  called  u Marriage  of  the  Palms"  is 
held.  It  is  a  singular  historical  fact,  that  the  date  palm  of 
Egypt  bore  no  fruit  in  the  year  1800,  owing  to  the  presence 
of  the  French  army  in  the  country,  which  prevented  the  an- 
nual marriage  feast. 

Among  the  other  plants  in  this  portion  of  the  Conservatory 
are  the  fan,  royal,  ratan,  sago  of  Japan  and  China,  Panama 
hat,  oil,  wine,  coco  de  Chili,  sugar,  and  cradle  palms;  the 
East  India  bamboo;  the  tree  fern,  from  New  Zealand ;  as- 
trapea,  from  Madagascar ;  screw  pine  of  Australia,  with  its 
cork-screw  leaves  and  roots  in  mid  air;  the  cinnamon  of 
Ceylon  ;  maiden's  hair  fern ;  mango,  a  delicious  fruit  of  the 
West  Indies ;  and  banana,  that  most  prolific  of  all  plants ; 
the  great  stag  and  elkhorn  ferns  from  Australia,  (very  fine 
specimens,)  and  the  dumb  cane  of  South  America.  The  sap 
of  the  root  of  the  latter  will  take  away  the  power  of  speech. 
Humboldt,  during  his  explorations  in  South  America,  was 
eight  days  speechless  from  tasting  it.  The  outer  circle  of 
the  rotunda  is  devoted  to  the  smaller  tropical  plants. 

The  E.  range,  temperature  50°,  and  wing,  40°,  are  de- 
voted more  particularly  to  the  plants  of  the  South  Sea  Islands, 
Brazil,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Australia,  and  New  Holland. 
The  principal  specimens  are  the  tree  fern  of  New  Zealand ; 
the  aloe  and  the  CafFre  bread  tree  from  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope ;  the  India  rubber,  the  passion  flower,  the  caladium,  of 
Brazil ;  Norfolk  Island  pine  of  Australia,  one  of  the  most 


44 


BOTANICAL  GARDEN. 


beautiful  and  largest-growing  trees  in  the  world ;  the  queen 
plant,  or  bird  of  paradise  flower,  from  its  resemblance  to  the 
plume  of  that  bird ;  the  tutui,  or  candle-nut  tree,  from  the 
Society  Islands,  the  nut  being  used  by  the  natives  for  lighting 
their  huts ;  the  coffee  plant,  and  several  varieties  of  cactus. 

To  the  W.  range  and  wing,  temperature  same  as  E.,  the 
plants  of  China  and  Japan,  the  East  and  West  Indies,  and 
Mexico  are  assigned.  The  most  notable  plants  here  are  the 
cycadaceae,  of  the  East  Indies,  the  largest  in  the  country; 
the  four-century  plant ;  the  camellia  japonica,  or  Japan  rose ; 
the  lovety  lily  of  Cuba ;  the  historic  papyrus  antiquorum,  or 
paper  plant,  of  Egypt;  the  tallow  and  leechee  trees  of 
China ;  the  guava,  a  delightful  fruit  of  the  West  Indies ;  the 
vanilla  of  Mexico,  the  species  which  furnishes  the  aromatic 
bean ;  the  black  pepper  from  the  East  Indies ;  the  sugar  cane, 
the  cheramoyer,  or  custard  apple,  and  cassava  of  the  West 
Indies ;  the  sensitive  and  the  humble  plants ;  the  American 
aloe,  or  century  plant,  of  Mexico ;  the  camphor  tree  from 
Japan ;  the  tea  plant ;  the  papay,  an  Oriental  tree,  which  has 
the  property  of  rendering  the  toughest  meat  tender ;  a  plant 
of  the  adansonia  digitata,  or  monkey  bread,  which  grows  on 
the  banks  of  the  Senegal,  and  reaches  the  enormous  circum- 
ference of  100  ft.  They  are  supposed  to  attain  the  age  of 
5,000  years.  They  have  many  uses.  Humboldt  pronounces 
them  the  oldest  organic  monuments  of  our  planet.  There  is 
also  a  specimen  of  the  carob  tree  of  Palestine,  sometimes 
called  St.  John's  bread.  The  pulp  around  the  seed  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  wild  honey  upon  which  St.  John 
fed  in  the  wilderness.  There  are  other  interesting  speci- 
mens of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  including  a  pleasing  variety 
of  climbing  plants.  The  arrangement  of  the  exotics  in  the 
Central  Conservatory  presents  the  appearance  of  a  miniature 
tropical  forest,  with  its  luxuriant  growth  of  tree  and  vine. 
Until  recently  the  Conservatory  was  in  possession  of  a  speci- 
men of  the  bohan  upas  tree,  of  which  such  fabulous  stories 
have  been  told.  Each  wing  of  the  Conservatory  is  supplied 
with  a  fountain.  In  the  W.  range  is  a  vase,  brought  from 
St.  Augustine,  Florida,  and  taken  from  the  first  house  built 
on  the  North  American  continent  within  the  present  limits 
of  the  United  States.  A  fine  specimen  of  maiden's  hair  fern 
grows  in  the  vase. 

The  outside  conservatories  are  generally  used  for  propaga- 
tion. One,  however,  is  specially  devoted  to  camellia  japo- 
nica,  and  another  to  that  eurious  growth,  the  orchids  or  air 
plants.  The  botanical  collection  received  some  valuable  con- 
tributions from  the  expedition  of  Commodore  Perry  to  Japan. 
The  supply  is  kept  up  by  propagation  and  purchase,  and  at 


LIGHTING  OF  THE  CITY. 


45 


rare  intervals  by  scientific  or  exploring  expeditions  of  the 
United  States. 

Superintendents  of  the  Botanical  Garden. — 1850-1852,  W. 
D.  Breckenridge ;  1852,  William  R.  Smith. 

History. — The  design  of  the  projectors  of  the  city  contem- 
plated the  location  of  a  botanical  garden  upon  one  of  the 
extensive  reservations  which  had  been  set  apart  for  public 
purposes.  In  1798  there  was  considerable  discussion  as  to  its 
location.  A  deputation  waited  upon  the  Commissioners  of  the 
city  and  urged  the  S.  Park  of  the  President's  Grounds,  bnt  as 
the  object  was  the  enjoyment  of  the  public,  it  was  seen  fit  w 
establish  it  in  its  present  desirable  situation  near  the  Capitol* 
The  topography  of  the  ground,  however,  was  most  uninvit- 
ing. The  Tiber  flowed  across  one  end  of  it,  and  most  of  it 
was  low  and  marshy,  and  exposed  to  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the 
tides  in  the  Potomac.  There  is  a  tradition  that  it  was  the 
early  execution  ground  of  the  city,  and  that  no  less  than  five 
criminals  were  hanged  there.  In  1822  the  Botanical  Society 
of  Washington  was  incorporated  by  Congress.  The  society, 
prior  to  its  incorporation,  through  the  individual  efforts  of 
those  interested  in  botanical  researches  and  investigations  in 
the  District  of  Columbia,  had  prepared  a  full  list  of  plants, 
and  as  early  as  1817  had  arranged  them  according  to  the  Lin- 
nsean  classification  and  the  more  fashionable  arrangment  of 
Jussieu.  The  grounds  assigned  to  the  society  were  the  same 
now  used  by  Congress  for  that  purpose.  Under  the  auspices 
of  the  societ3r  the  marshy  portions  were  dredged  and  con- 
verted into  a  small  lake,  into  which  the  tide  continued  to  ebb 
and  flow.  A  few  of  the  native  trees  were  planted,  consisting 
of  fine  oaks,  buttonwoods,  gums  and  persimmons.  The 
onty  vestige  remaining  of  these  primitive  efforts  at  a  botan- 
ical garden  are  two  post  oaks.  After  the  discontinuance  of 
the  society  the  garden  was  used  as  a  deposit  for  rubbish.  In 
1850  the  representative  management  was  assigned  to  the 
Joint  Committee  of  Congress  on  the  Library.  The  first 
buildings  were  then  erected,  and  the  office  of  Superintendent 
created.  This  post  was  first  filled  by  W.  D.  Breckenridge, 
who  had  been  horticulturist  and  botanist  to  the  Wilkes  Ex- 
pedition. A  systematic  course  of  improvement  was  inaugu- 
rated out  of  the  annual  appropriations  by  Congress,  begin- 
ning with  the  filling  of  the  entire  grounds  to  a  depth  of  5  to 
6  ft. 

Lighting  of  the  City. — The  lighting  of  the  city  is  entirely 
by  private  companies.  The  first  of  these  was  incorporated  in 
1848.  In  that  year  Congress  made  an  appropriation  of  $2,000 


46 


STATUES. 


for  paying  the  Washington  Gas  Company  for  lighting  the 
Capitol  and  Capitol  Grounds,  to  include  fixtures ;  for  laying 
pipes  from  the  main  pipe  at  the  Capitol  to  the  foot  of  loth  st. 
W.,  on  both  sides  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  and  for  100  lamp- 
posts and  lamps  and  other  necessary  fixtures.  This  was  the 
first  use  of  gas  in  the  city.  In  the  same  year  gas  was  also 
first  introduced  into  the  President's  House.     It  has  since 

fjrown  into  general  use.    The  Government  provides  for  the 
ighting  of  all  public  buildings  and  grounds,  and  the  District 
for  avs.  and  sts. 

Statues. — The  statues  in  the  public  parks  contribute  greatly 
to  the  adornment  of  the  capital.  The  principal  are  Green- 
oughts  Washington,  in  marble,  in  the  E.  Park  of  the  Capitol, 
and  those  of  Jefferson,  E.  of  the  President's  House ;  Jackson. 
in  Lafayette  Square ;  and  Washington,  in  Washington  Circle, 
in  bronze;  the  Equestrian  Statue  of  General  Scoti,in  bronze, 
is  situated  on  16th  st.  W. ;  a  statue  of  Lincoln,  in  marble, 
■surmounting  a  small  column  of  the  same  material,  in  front  of 
the  City  Hall.  A  description  of  all  statues  will  be  found  in 
connection  with  the  grounds  in  which  they  are  placed.  Statues 
of  Admiral  Farragut  and  General  Rawlings  have  been  ordered 
by  Congress.  In  1792  Jefferson  urged  the  commissioners  of 
the  city  to  employ  one  Cerachi,  an  Italian  sculptor,  to  exe- 
cute the  equestrian  statue  of  Washington  ordered  by  the  Con- 
tinental Congress.  The  sum  of  20,000  guineas  was  to  be  the 
cost,  and  Jefferson  suggested  the  sale  of  city  lots  to  supply 
the  funds.  No  action  was  taken.  In  1794  the  same  sculptor 
was  brought  forward  as  the  best  person  to  design  and  execute 
the  Monument  to  American  Liberty  proposed  to  be  erected 
E.  of  the  Capitol,  in  what  is  now  Lincoln  Square.  This  was 
also  abandoned. 

Water  Supply.— The  water  of  the  city  is  carried  from  the 
Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  by  the  Aqueduct,  a  distance  of 
12  m.,  to  a  Distributing  Reservoir,  2  m.  from  Rock  Creek  and 
4 J  m.  from  the  Capitol.  The  daily  supply  is  30  million  galls, 
and  consumption  17  million  galls.,  or  127  galls,  to  each  per- 
son— the  largest  of  any  city  in  the  world.  The  full  capacity 
•of  the  Aqueduct  is  80  million  galls.  A  description  of  this 
remarkable  work  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  Hand- 
book. 

In  the  effluent  screen  well  at  the  distributing  reservoir  are 
laid  four  48-in.  mouth-pieces  for  the  supply  of  the  city.  Three 
of  these  are  reduced  in  the  pipe-vault  to  36-in.,  30-in.,  and 
12-in.  Leaving  the  vault  these  three  mains  run  parallel  across 
the  country  to  a  small  stream  known  as  Foundry  Branch. 


WATER  SUPPLY. 


47 


Near  this  point  they  strike  the  road  along*  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Canal,  which  they  follow  through  Bridge  and  Aque- 
duct sts.,  Georgetown,  to  Kock  Creek,  a  distance  of  2  m.  On 
the  way  the  30  and  12-in.  mains  cross  College  Pond,  over  an 
arch  of  120  ft.  span,  composed  of  two  30-in.  pipes.  The  36-in. 
main  is  laid  in  the  bottom  of  the  creek.  At  Hock  Creek  two 
of  the  three  mains  are  joined,  so  that  the  water  is  conveyed 
through  two  48-in.  pipes,  which  form  an  arch  of  200  ft.  span 
across  that  stream.  These  arches  also  sustain  a  roadway  for 
a  horse  railway  and  general  traffic  between  the  cities  of 
Washington  and  Georgetown.  At  the  E.  end  of  the  bridge 
the  three  mains  are  resumed,  and  following  Pennsylvania 
av.  E.,  the  36-in  main,  laid  by  the  District,  enters  L  st.  N., 
following  it  to  New  Jersey  av.;  thence  by  that  avenue,  in  a 
30-in.  main,  to  Massachusetts  av.  and  B  st.  N.;  thence,  in  a 
20-in.  main,  to  11th  st.  E.,  where  it  terminates;  the  30-in. 
main,  laid  by  the  United  States  from  Kock  Creek,  leaves 
Pennsylvania  av.  at  the  Washington  Circle,  following  K  st., 
Massachusetts  and  New  Jersey  avs.  to  B  st.  1ST.,  and  thence 
is  continued  in  a  20-in.  main  through  B  st.  N.  to  11th  st.  E. 
A  branch  from  this  main  supplies  the  Botanical  Garden, 
Smithsonian  and  Arsenal  Grounds.  The  12-in.  main,  laid  by 
the  United  States  from  Kock  Creek,  follows  the  line  of  Penn- 
sylvania av.  and  8th  st.  E.,  thence  to  the  Navy  Yard  wharf, 
on  the  way  passing  around  the  Capitol  Grounds  by  A  st.  N. 
and  1st  st.  E.    Distance,  4f  m.;  or  6f  m.  from  the  reservoir. 

These  mains  supply  all  the  public  buildings  and  fountains, 
besides  the  daily  consumption  of  the  city.  The  branch  pipes 
for  the  latter  are  laid  at  the  expense  of  the  District.  By  law 
the  water-rates  are  regulated  to  cover  the  expense  of  laying 
new  pipes  and  keeping  old  ones  in  repair,  but  cannot  be  a 
source  of  revenue. 

The  total  length  of  Distributing  Pipes,  Nov.,  1873,  was 
132.69  m.,  of  which  16.89  were  laid  by  the  Washington  Aque- 
duct, 10.41  m.  by  the  late  corporation  of  Georgetown,  and 
105.3  m.  by  the  City  of  Washington.  The  pipes  are  supplied 
with  stop-valves  and  attachments.  There  are  also  upwards 
of  500  fire-plugs ;  also  drinking  fountains,  hydrants,  taps,  and 
water-services,  water-meters,  &c. 

A  tax  of  f  of  1  cent,  per  square  foot  is  assessed  upon  all 
property  which  binds  or  touches  upon  any  street  in  which  a 
main  water-pipe  has  been  laid.  There  is  also  an  annual  fire- 
plug tax  on  all  buildings  situated  within  500  ft.  of  any  main 
pipe,  the  owners  or  occupants  of  which  do  not  pay  an  annual 
water-rate  or  tax.    The  annual  revenues  are  about  $150,000. 

In  founding  the  capital,  it  was  proposed  to  utilize  the 
springs  within  the  city,  and  the  Tiber,  which  entered  from 


48 


THE  HARBOR. 


the  X.  The  elevation  of  the  source  of  the  latter  was  236  J 
ft.  above  tide.  Its  water  was  to  be  carried  to  the  Capitol. 
After  also  supplying  the  E.  part  of  the  city,  the  excess  was 
to  be  conducted  to  the  W.  front  of  the  Capitol,  and  form  the 
proposed  Cascade,  to  have  a  fall  of  20  ft.  and  width  of  50  ft. 
into  a  reservoir  below.  Thence  the  water  was  to  be  distributed 
into  three  falls  across  the  W.  Park,  the  Botanical  Garden, 
and  the  Mall.  In  1832  one  of  the  earliest  efforts  in  this  direc- 
tion was  to  convey  the  water  of  Smith's  Spring*,  2J  miles  N*. 
of  the  Capitol  and  30  ft.  above  its  base,  in  pipes  to  the  reser- 
voir in  the  E.  Park,  and  from  thence  into  the  building.  The 
surplus  was  conducted  under  the  building,  and  feeds  the  foun- 
tain in  the  W.  Terrace.  In  1836  Congress  purchased  this 
spring  and  1  acre  of  land  adjoining,  and  enclosed  it.  In  1837 
a  scant  supply  was  carried  in  pipes  from  the  reservoir  in  the 
E.  Park  along  the  N".  side  of  Penns3dvania  av.  to  the  Treas- 
ury Department,  and  subsequently  to  the  General  Post  Office. 
In  1832  the  spring  in  what  is  now  Franklin  Square  supplied 
the  President's  House  and  "  public  offices."  It  does  the  same 
now,  though  the  Aqueduct  water  has  also  been  introduced. 
At  the  same  time  a  new  spring  at  K  and  13th  sts.  N*W.  was 
opened,  and  carried  a  supply  of  60  gallons  a  minute  to  the 
vicinity  of  F  and  13th  sts.  NW.  Also  pipes  were  laid  from 
a  spring  on  New  Jersey  av.,  S.  of  the  Capitol,  and  from  an- 
other just  W.  of  the  Navy  Yard,  which  supplied  the  SE.  sec- 
tion of  city  near  the  Anacostia.  Over  half  a  century  elapsed 
before  the  Aqueduct  was  built. 

Fountains, — In  the  public  parks  and  squares  are  a  number 
of  fountains,  some  of  which,  though  not  elaborate  in  design, 
contribute  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  city.  The  largest  is 
in  the  Botanical  Garden.  There  are  also  line  ones  N".  and 
E.  of  the  President's  House  and  N.  of  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment. The  latter  consists  of  an  immense  granite  urn,  in  a 
basin  of  the  same  material,  with  side  outlets  formed  of  lions' 
heads.  In  Mount  Vernon  Place  is  another,  with  a  bronze 
centre-piece.  There  are  many  of  smaller  dimensions.  The 
first  public  fountain  was  erected  in  1810,  by  the  corporation 
and  voluntary  subscription,  and  bore  the  inscription,  "By 
the  Mayoralty.    Eobert  Brent,  Esq." 

The  Harbor, — In  front  of  Washington  the  Potomac,  re- 
leased from  the  hills  above  Georgetown,  expands  into  a  broad 
lake-like  river. 

The  Potomac  River  rises  in  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  and 
after  a  course  of  400  m.  empties  into  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
At  its  confluence  with  the  bay  it  is  7J  m.  wide,  and  in  front 


THE  HARBOR. 


49 


of  Washington  1£  m.,  with  18  ft.  of  water.  The  Anacostia 
at  its  month  is  nearly  as  wide  as  the  main  stream,  and  is 
fully  as  deep.  Salt  water  reaches  to  within  50  m.  of  the  city. 
The  average  tide  at  the  Navy  Yard  is  3  ft. 

The  Harboi  of  Washington  consists  of  a  channel  extending 
from  Greenleuf's  or  Arsenal  Point,  the  upper  point  at  the 
junction  of  the  Anacostia  and  Potomac,  to  the  foot  of  17th 
st.  W.,  a  distance  of  |  m.,  and  also  a  small  channel  in  the 
Anacostia. 

The  Potomac  Channel  has  an  average  width  of  400  ft.  up 
to  Maryland  av.  or  Long  Bridge,  between  the  depths  of  6  ft. 
at  mean  low  water,  and  narrows  to  250  ft.  at  the  Arsenal 
wharf.  The  greatest  depth  to  the  lower  wharves  at  6th  st. 
SW.  is  11  ft.,  and  to  Maryland  av.  8  ft.  Above  Long  Bridge 
this  channel  gradually  shoals,  and  is  lost  in  the  flats  off 
17th  st. 

The  Anacostia  Channel  has  an  average  width  of  350  ft., 
between  the  depths  of  6  ft.  on  either  side,  and  narrows  to 
250  ft.  The  greatest  depth  to  the  Navy  Yard  is  14  ft.,  and 
1  m.  above  is  but  6  ft. 

The  Harbor  of  Georgetown  consists  of  a  depression  in  the 
bed  of  the  Potomac,  lying  between  the  town  front  on  the  left 
bank  and  «  small  portion  of  the  right  or  Virginia  bank  and 
Analostan  Island,  near  the  same  bank.  This  harbor  has  an 
average  width  of  800  ft.,  with  an  average  depth  of  25  ft.  at 
mean  low  water.  The  depth  over  the  bar  in  the  main  chan- 
nel of  the  Potomac  just  below  this  harbor  is  but  10  ft.  at 
mean  low  water.  This  depth  has  been  increased  to  15  ft.  by 
dredging. 

The  Main  Channel,  starting  at  the  harbor  of  Georgetown, 
runs  between  Analostan  Island  and  Easby's  Point,  the  S.  end 
of  27th  st.  W.,  along  the  bank  of  the  river  to  the  W.  end  of 
Long  Bridge,  and  thence  to  Geisborough,  or  the  lower  point 
of  the  mouth  of  the  Anacostia.  Off  this  it  joins  the  channel 
of  the  Anacostia  and  that  from  the  Potomac  front  of  Wash- 
ington. Here  the  three  unite,  and  form  the  broad  channel, 
which  extends  down  the  main  river.  The  length  of  the  main 
channel  from  the  canal  aqueduct  at  Georgetown  to  deep 
water  at  Geisborough  Point  is  4f  m.  The  depth  at  mean 
high  water  at  the  shoalest  place  in  the  Potomac  below  Wash- 
ington is  22  ft.  Between  the  main  channel  of  the  Potomac 
and  the  shore  lying  between  17th  and  27th  sts.  W.  lies  an 
expansive  marsh  of  about  1,000  a.,  known  as  the  flats,  and 
mostly  covered  with  a  rank  growth  of  water-grass.  One  third 
is  clear  at  low  water,  and  the  remainder  is  covered  from  1  to 
4  ft.    It  is  stated  by  the  engineers  who  have  made  a  survey 


50 


COMMERCE. 


that  these  deposits  increase  yearly  as  the  shores  above  are 
cleared  of  forest. 

Wharves. — The  wharves  of  the  city,  along  the  banks  of  the 
Potomac,  at  the  foot  of  17th  St.,  are  used  by  wood  and  sand 
craft  ;  and  7th  st.  W.,  by  steamboats  and  schooners.  Those 
on  the  Anacostia,  W.  of  the  Navy-yard,  are  used  for  wood, 
lumber,  coal,  stone,  sand,  and  other  articles  brought  to  the 
Washington  market.  The  17th  st.  wharves  are  among 
the  oldest,  and  were  known  as  early  as  1806  as  Van  Ness 
wharves,  after  General  Van  Ness,  their  owner.  At  this  point 
also  was  the  entrance  to  the  old  Washington  Canal.  The 
ruins  of  the  Van  Ness  warehouse  are  still  to  be  seen  near  by. 

Canal. — For  the  convenience  of  the  wood,  coal,  and  sand- 
boats,  and  other  small  craft,  James  Creek,  which  enters  the 
Anacostia  immediately  E.  of  the  Arsenal,  has  been  dredged 
to  a  depth  of  8  ft.  at  low- water  mark,  and  widened  to  60  ft. 
as  far  as  Virginia  av.  at  its  intersection  with  S.  Capitol  st. 
It  is  the  design  ultimately  to  abandon  the  present  wharves  at 
the  foot  of  17th  st.  W.  The  old  Washington  Canal,  which 
connected  the  Anacostia  at  the  foot  of  2d  st.  E.  with  the  Po- 
tomac at  the  foot  of  17th  st.  W.,  commenced  in  1791  and  fin- 
ished in  1837,  has  been  filled  from  3d  to  17th  sts.  W.,  and  a 
covered  sewer  built  in  its  place. 

Commerce. — In  addition  to  its  central  location,  consid- 
ered with  reference  to  the  bounds  of  the  United  States  in 
1790,  the  site  for  the  Federal  City  on  the  Potomac  Eiver  also 
had  the  advantage  of  easy  water  communication  with  the 
Chesapeake  Bay  and  the  Ocean.  Its  location  was  also  farther 
inland  than  could  have  been  secured  on  tide  water  on  any 
other  navigable  stream  on  the  Atlantic  seaboard.  In  those 
early  days  such  recommendations  were  paramount.  The  pro- 
ject of  improving  the  navigation  of  the  Potomac  and  the  con- 
struction of  a  canal  to  connect  with  the  head-waters  of  the 
Ohio  promised  an  increase  of  these  facilities.  Alexandria, 
7  m.  below,  already  enjoyed  a  considerable  commerce  with 
the  cities  and  towns  on  the  Chesapeake,  along  the  Atlantic 
coast,  and  the  ports  of  foreign  lands.  Georgetown,  just  above, 
also  had  a  local  trade  of  some  importance.  The  introduction 
of  steam  on  the  Potomac  took  place  shortly  after  its  satisfac- 
tory application  as  a  motive  power  in  navigation.  The  Wash- 
ington, Alexandria,  and  Baltimore  Steam-packet  Company 
was  succeeded  by  the  Washington,  Alexandria,  and  George- 
town Steam-packet  Company,  incorporated  in  1829.  The 
facilities  of  travel  on  the  river  and  bay,  and  to  points  N.  by 
sea,  have  at  different  times  since  been  largely  augmented. 


HARBOR  IMPROVEMENT. 


51 


Merchant  vessels  belonging  to  the  customs  district  of  George- 
town, which  includes  Washington — 1872,  sail  78,  2,081  tons ; 
steam  25,  5,084J  tons;  unrigged  309,  18,490J  :  total  412,  25,- 
656  tons.  There  is  an  extensive  home  trade  on  the  Potomac 
Eiver  and  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  by  Sea,  with  the  cities  on 
the  Atlantic  seaboard.  Direct  foreign  trade,  however,  is 
small,  all  imported  goods  being  received  through  other  ports. 
In  1872  but  one  foreign  vessel  arrived.  The  dutiable  imports 
amounted  to  but  $1,804,  and  domestic  exports  $2,416. 

Harbor  Improvement.— In  1872  a  board  of  officers  was  ap- 
pointed, under  an  act  of  Congress,  with  a  view  to  the  im- 
provement of  the  channel  of  the  river  and  the  water  fronts 
of  Washington  and  Georgetown  for  commercial  purposes, 
and  the  reclamation  of  the  poisonous  marsh  opposite  the  city. 
The  board  reported  three  plans,  that  most  favored  proposing 
but  one  channel,  of  sufficient  width  and  depth  for  all  purposes , 
a  direct  continuation  of  the  river  at  Georgetown,  to  run  along 
the  right  bank  of  the  river  as  far  down  as  Gravelly  Point,  and 
thence  directly  toward  Geisborough  Point  on  the  left  bank, 
joining  the  deep  channel  of  the  river  at  that  point,  following 
nearly  the  present  main  channel  of  the  river,  and  affording  a 
frontage  of  7  m.  The  channel,  23  ft  deep,  would  be  of  suffi- 
cient width  to  enable  the  largest  vessels  to  move  with  ease 
and  free  from  danger  of  grounding,  and  also  to  discharge  the 
heaviest  freshets.  The  great  freshet  of  about  1852  swelled 
the  river  at  the  old  Chain  Bridge,  just  below  the  Little  Falls, 
to  a  height  of  43  feet  above  mean  high  water ;  at  the  Aque- 
duct Bridge,  10  ft. ;  at  the  Arsenal,  about  3f  m.  below,  4|  ft.; 
and  at  Alexandria,  about  3 \  m.  still  lower  down,  2 J  ft.  The 
width  of  channel  adopted  for  the  Anacostia  is  600  ft.,  with  a 
depth  of  23  ft.  at  mean  low  water  at  the  Navy  Yard  Bridge. 
For  the  transshipment  of  coal  from  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
Canal,  in  front  of  Georgetown,  it  is  proposed  to  erect  suitable 
clocks  and  piers,  to  be  continued  by  lines  of  bulkhead,  includ- 
ing piers,  the  whole  commencing  at  the  NE.  corner  of  High 
and  Water  sts.,  Georgetown,  and  extending  along  the  entire 
Washington  front  on  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  to  the  outer 
end  of  the  N.  abutment  of  Anacostia  Bridge. 

With  these  improvements  Long  Bridge  would  be  recon^ 
structed,  with  spans  of  not  less  than  200  ft.,  and  a  pivot-draw, 
with  two  openings  of  not  less  than  160  ft.  clear  in  each,  the 
bridge  to  be  constructed  for  railroad  and  ordinary  travel.  The 
estimated  cost  of  the  whole  work  is  $6,000,000 ;  or  less  expen- 
sive materials,  $4,000,000.  Land  reclaimed,  1023  a.;  time  to 
complete,  4  yrs. 


52 


BRIDGES. 


It  is  proposed  to  remove  the  Naval  Observatory,  and  use 
the  earth  for  filling'. 

Extension  of  the  City.— Long  Bridge,  to  the  waterfront,  to 
be  designated  Railroad  Avenue,  would  be  laid  out  in  a  road- 
way 200  ft.  wide,  with  space  for  rail-tracks  in  the  centre  and 
a  carriageway  on  either  side.  The  irregular  space  between 
Maryland  av.  continued  to  the  water,  Railroad  av.,  and  the 
bulkhead,  including  streets,  44  a.,  with  4  piers,  to  be  re- 
served for  railroad  freight  depots  and  workshops.  The  Mall 
would  be  extended  W.  to  proposed  Potomac  av.,  would  give 
an  aggregate  length  of  2T1o-  m.,  and  would  form  a  magnifi- 
cent triple  avenue,  sweeping  away  in  front  of  the  W.  fa- 
cade of  the  Capitol,  by  the  side  of  which  would  tower  the 
Washington  Monument,  and  along  which  could  be  erected 
-statues  and  monuments  to  the  memory  of  the  great  men  of 
the  Republic.  The  general  system  of  streets  and  avenues 
would  be  extended  over  the  reclaimed  ground  outside  of  the 
Government  reservations,  454  a.,  with  the  exception  of  Rail- 
road av.,  now  Long  Bridge  and  Potomac  av.,  200  ft.  wide,  to 
run  the  entire  length  inside  the  bulkhead.  The  street,  100  ft. 
wide  inside  the  bulkheads,  on  the  Anacostia  front,  called  by 
the  name  of  that  stream,  would  run  from  the  Arsenal  to  the 
Navy-j^ard. 

Bridges. — There  are  no  fine  bridges  across  the  Potomac  or 
Anacostia  connecting  Washington  with  the  opposite  shore. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  there  were  four 
bridges:  one  across  the  Potomac  into  Virginia,  and  three 
across  the  Anacostia ;  all  owned  by  private  companies.  There 
are  now  the  Long  Bridge  across  the  Potomac,  which  is  also 
used  for  a  railway,  and  the  Navy  Yard  and  Benning's,  or  the 
Upper  Bridge,  across  the  Anacostia.  The  Baltimore  and 
Potomac  Railroad  Bridge  also  crosses  the  Anacostia  above 
the  Navy-yard. 

In  1809  a  pile  bridge,  1  m.  long,  with  a  draw  on  the  E.  and 
W.  ends,  was  in  use  across  the  Potomac.  The  SW.  end  was 
destroyed  in  1814,  by  order  of  the  Government,  during  the 
presence  of  a  foreign  enem}^.  It  was  restored  in  1816.  In 
1832  the  Government  purchased  it  and  built  a  new  one,  which 
was  destroyed  by  ice  in  1836.  It  was  restored  in  1838.  In 
1850  it  was  proposed  to  build  an  iron  or  stone  arched  bridge, 
but  after  plans  were  submitted  the  matter  dropped.  The 
railroad  portion  of  the  present  Potomac  bridge  was  built  in 
1872.  The  entire  structure  consists  of  a  way  for  vehicles 
and  pedestrians  and  for  the  track  of  the  Washington  and 
Alexandria  Railroad.  Near  the  Washington  end  is  a  small 
draw  over  the  E .  channel.  From  this  point  a  causeway  crosses 


BRIDGES. 


53 


the  marshes  of  the  river  to  the  Virginia  channel,  which  is  sur- 
mounted by  a  wooden  structure,  with  a  draw  sufficient  to  ad- 
mit of  the  passage  of  the  largest  vessels.  It  was  by  this  bridge 
that  most  of  the  vast  armies  of  the  United  States  marched  into 
Virginia  during  the  rebellion,  1861-'65. 

In  1S14  the  bridges  over  the  Anacostia  were  also  burned 
by  order  of  the  Government.  In  1819  the  Navy  Yard  Bridge^ 
which  crosses  the  Anacostia  from  the  foot  of  11th  st.  E.  and 
terminates  at  Uniontown,  or  E.  Washington,  was  built.  It 
is  a  dilapidated  wooden  structure,  with  a  small  draw.  It  is 
proposed  to  erect  a  new  bridge,  with  stone  abutments  and 
iron  superstructure.  Above  is  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac: 
Railroad  Bridge. 

The  Chain  Bridge  across  the  Potomac  at  the  Little  Falls,. 
4  m.  above  Washington,  connecting  the  District  of  Columbia 
and  Virginia,  was  built  before  1811,  and  was  a  chain  suspen- 
sion bridge.  This  name  has  always  been  retained,  though 
several  structures — the  last  a  Howe  truss  bridge,  partly  car- 
ried away  in  1870 — have  since  been  demolished  by  ice  gorges 
and  freshets,  whicli  rise  to  40  ft.  The  present  wrought-iron 
truss  bridge  was  ordered  by  Congress  in  1872,  built  by  Clarkr 
Reeves  &  Co.,  Phcenixville,  Penna.,  was  erected  and  opened 
in  1874.  It  is  1,350  ft.  long,  20  ft.  wide,  26  ft.  high,  and  has  & 
spans,  from  1G0  to  170  ft.  each.  The  lloor  beams  are  15-in.. 
rolled  iron;  planking,  3-in.  North  Carolina  Pine ;  stands  30* 
ft.  over  the  main  channel,  and  cost  $100,000.  The  bridge- 
rests  on  the  old  stone  piers,  raised  18  in.,  and  is  free.  It  is  a 
very  fine  structure,  and  the  country  around  is  wild  and  ro- 
mantic and  is  well  worthy  of  a  visit.  It  is  also  visible  from, 
the  aqueduct  road. 

The  other  bridges  within  the  District  are  Benningrs,  a 
wooden  structure,  J  m.  above  the  Navy  Yard,  and  the  Aque- 
duct of  the  Alexandria  Canal  at  George  town. 

All  bridges  across  the  Potomac,  except  the  Aqueduct  Bridge 
it  Georgetown,  are  now  the  property  of  the  Government, 
ind  free  to  the  public. 

Communication  between  Washington  and  Georgetown 
across  Rock  Creek  is  maintained  by  three  bridges.  The 
Pennsylvania-av.  Bridge  is  a  fine  iron  structure,  consisting 
of  an  arch  of  200  feet,  formed  by  two  48-in  pipes,  used  to  con- 
vey the  aqueduct  water  into  the  city,  and  upon  which  rests 
the  roadway.  The  M  and  P-st.  Bridges  are  also  superior 
specimens  of  bridge  architecture.  The  James  Creek  Canal, 
hi  the  SE.  parts  of  the  city,  is  spanned  by  iron  and  stone 
bridges.  In  the  county  stone  culverts  are  used  over  natural 
watercourses. 


54 


TELEGRAPHS. 


Street  Kailways,  —Since  1862,  when  first  incorporated,  these 
popular  modes  of  city  convej- ance  have  been  greatly  extended. 
Two  lines  cross  the  city  E.  to  W.  and  two  N.  to  S.,  and  from 
Pennsylvania  av.  on  15th  st.,  opposite  the  NE.  angle  of  the 
Treasury  1ST.,  to  the  Boundary  on  14th  st.  W.,  and  another 
from  the  same  point  to  the  E .  Boundary.  New  enterprises  of 
this  character  are  laid  out  or  in  course  of  completion.  There 
are  45  m.  of  st.  railway  in  the  two  cities  and  District,  estimated 
on  the  basis  of  a  single  track.    [See  General  Information.] 

Eailroads. — The  capital  is  accessible  by  railway  from  all 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Previous  to  the  establishment  of 
railways,  the  Government  patronized  the  opening  of  wagon- 
roads  and  canals  to  carry  all  trade  centering  at  the  District 
into  the  city.  A  through  road  of  communication  across  the 
Alleghenies  was  fostered  and  carried  to  completion.  In  1828 
Congress  authorized  the  railroad  company  incorporated  by 
the  State  of  Maryland  to  build  a  road  from  Baltimore  to  Wash- 
ington, to  enter  the  District  and  city ;  Congress  merely  re- 
taining jurisdiction  of  the  soil.  This  was  the  first  effort-  to 
establish  railway  communication  with  the  National  Capital. 
A  lateral  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  into 
Washington  was  authorized  in  1831.  By  1841  there  were 
two  trains,  daily,  each  way,  between  Washington  and  Balti- 
more— time,  2\  hours.  The  incorporation  of  the  Washing- 
ton and  Alexandria  in  1854,  and  the  lateral  branches  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  in  1867,  together  with  the  extensions 
of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio,  have  connected  the  National  Cap- 
ital with  the  railroad  systems  of  the  E.,  N.,  W.,  and  S.  [See 
General  Information.] 

Telegraphs.— In  1843  Congress  appropriated  $30,000,  to  be 
expended  under  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  for  testing  the 
capacity  and  usefulness  of  the  system  of  electro-magnetic  tele- 
graphs invented  by  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  of  New  York,  for  the 
use  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  In  1845  the  line 
was  completed  between  Washington  and  Baltimore.  In  1846 
Congress  ordered  that  the  proceeds  of  the  line  be  placed  in 
the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  for  the  benefit  of  the  Post 
Office  Department,  in  the  same  manner  as  revenues  from  post- 
ages. From  this  beginning  the  present  extensive  system  oi 
telegraphic  communication  began.  The  various  lines  are  now 
owned  by  private  corporations.  The  telegraph  is  now  the 
principal  means  of  conveying  intelligence  respecting  the  op- 
erations of  the  Government  to  the  people  of  the  country 
through  the  newspapers.  [See  General  Information. 1 


SECTION  III. 
PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  AND  GROUNDS. 


HISTORICAL  RETROSPECT. 

^^^^^rjHE  Legislative  and  Executive  branches  of  the 
jtmlfiffl    Government  occupy  buildings  erected  expressly 

i  K  IP  for  their  accommodation.  The  co-ordinate,  or  J udi- 
<r4<^§Hf  cial  branch,  is  yet  without  a  structure  of  its  own, 
^J^&^i  though  such  provision  for  its  accommodation  was 
originally  contemplated.  The  Capitol  is  devoted 
to  the  purposes  of  Congress,  and  affords  limited  facilities 
for  the  sessions  and  business  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  and  Court  of  Claims.  The  Executive,  with 
its  various  departments,  occupies  a  number  of  buildings. 
The  public  edifices  used  for  these  purposes  are  not  only 
attractive  in  architecture,  but  are  immense  in  proportions, 
and  practically  without  limit  in  durability.  They  are  all 
built  of  the  best  qualities  of  granite,  marble,  or  freestone, 
with  interior  finish  of  brick,  iron,  and  glass.  In  comparison 
with  the  buildings  of  other  Governments,  used  strictly  for 
governmental  purposes,  they  are  without  an  equal,  and  more 
frequently  without  a  rival. 

The  buildings  occupied  by  the  executive  offices  are  desig- 
nated according  to  the  nature  of  the  executive  business  trans- 
acted in  them.  For  instance,  the  Treasury  Department  con- 
tains the  various  offices  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury.  There  is  one  exception,  however :  the  building 
occupied  by  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  which  is  known 
as  the  Patent  Office,  it  having  been  erected  to  serve  for  the 
display  of  models.  The  Patent  Office  proper  is  but  a  bureau 
of  the  Department  of  the  Interior. 

The  increase  of  the  Government  business  and  the  inad- 
equate accommodations  afforded  by  the  public  buildings, 
commodious  as  they  are,  has  necessitated,  in  a  number  of 
cases,  the  purchase  or  renting  of  private  buildings  in  different 
parts  of  the  city. 

The  Department  of  Justice  occupies  the  upper  portion  of 
55 


56 


THE  CAPITOL. 


the  Freedmen's  Bank  building.  Winder's  building,  origi- 
nally erected  for  a  hotel,  now  owned  by  the  Government,  is 
used  by  several  of  the  bureaus  of  the  War  Department.  A 
number  of  the  bureaus  of  the  other  executive  offices  are 
similarly  provided  for. 

The  lirst  edifices  built  for  the  accommodation  of  the  exec- 
utive offices  were  the  War  Office,  450  ft.  SW.,  and  the  Treas- 
ury, on  a  corresponding  site  SE.  of  the  President's  House; 
the  former  before  and  the  latter  after  1800.  Both  faced  S. 
The  War  Office,  now  the  Navy  Department,  was  later  trans- 
ferred to  the  new  building  on  the  N.  In  1818  Congress  au- 
thorized the  erection  of  two  new  buildings  N.  of  those  then 
standing.  These  were  completed  during  the  administration 
of  President  Monroe.  The  four  structures  were  then  desig- 
nated according  to  their  location  with  respect  to  the  Presi- 
dent's House;  that  is,  the  NE.,  SE.,  W.,  and  SW.  Execu- 
tive Buildings — respectively  State,  Treasury,  War,  and  Navy 
Departments.  The  site  of  the  first  two  is  now  occupied  by 
the  Treasury  Department.  The  War  and  Navy  Departments 
are  still  standing,  but  will  shortly  be  removed,  to  make  room 
for  the  new  State,  War,  and  Navy  Department  now  build- 
ing. The  first  building,  designed  by  George  Hadfield,  Archi- 
tect of  the  Capitol,  formed  the  models  for  all.  They  were 
brick,  originally  2  stories  high,  120  to  160  ft.  front,  60  ft.  deep, 
and  10  ft.  high,  with  a  freestone  basement  and  Ionic  portico. 
The}'  were  subsequently  raised  and  otherwise  modified.  It 
was  originally  intended  to  have  a  passage  between  them  and 
the  President's  House,  but  this  was  abandoned.  The  SE. 
building,  or  Treasury  Department,  was  destroyed  by  fire  in 
March,  1833.  It  then  occupied  temporary  quarters  on  Penn- 
sylvania av.  In  1836  the  erection  of  a  new  Treasury  Depart- 
ment, more  suitable  in  design  and  dimensions,  was  com- 
menced on  the  site  of  the  old.  Before  the  business  of  the 
Government  became  so  great,  all  the  offices  were  accom- 
modated in  the  four  buildings.  The  Patent  Bureau  then  oc- 
cupied rooms  in  the  NE.,  the  Attorney  General's  Office  and 
Indian  Bureau  in  the  NW.,  and  the  General  Land  Office  in 
the  SE.  Executive  Buildings. 


THE  CAPITOL. 

The  Capitol  of  the  United  States  (open  every  day,  except 
Sunday)  stands  on  the  W.  brow  of  the  plateau  which  forms 
the  E.  portion  of  the  city.  It  may  be  reached  from  the  more 
populous  sections  by  street  cars.   Pennsylvania  av.,  from 


APPROACHES. 


57 


Georgetown,  loads  to  one  of  the  gates  at  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
below  the  W.  entrance.  From  the  President's  House,  by 
Pennsylvania  av.,  the  distance  to  the  Capitol  is  m.,  and 
the  same  from  the  most  remote  of  the  principal  hotels.  The 
street  cars  pass  in  front  of  or  close  by  all  the  hotels. 

Street  Oars. — The  Pennsylvania-av.  (marked  u Capitol") 
Street  Cars,  from  the  W.,  pass  around  the  Capitol  on  the  S., 
and  by  a  branch  track  from  S.  B  st.,  carry  visitors  to  the 
SE.  angle  of  the  S.  Extension,  occupied  by  the  House  of 
Eepresentatives.  Strangers  should  be  careful  to  take  a  car 
for  the  Capitol.  Those  marked  "Navy  Yard"  run  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  same  point.  Those  of  the  same  line  for 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  RR.  Depot  would  leave  them  on  the 

line  of  the  grounds,  and  some  distance  from  the  building. 
The  Metropolitan,  or  F-st  Cars,  by  a  branch  track,  land  pas- 
sengers on  the  plateau  at  the  NE.  angle  of  the  X.  or  Senate 
Extension.  Strangers  should  be  careful  to  take  a  car  for  the 
Capitol.  The  same  line  of  cars  to  the  E.  parts  of  the  city  on 
E.  Capitol  st.  also  pass  near  the  same  point. 

Site, — The  Capitol  occupies  very  nearly  the  centre  of  the  plot 
of  the  city,  there  being  25  sts.  E.,  27  sts.  W.,  22  sts.  N".,  and  21 
sts.  S.  On  a  straight  line,  however,  drawn  from  NW.  to  SE., 
it  stands  about  J  in.  towards  the  latter  point.  The  great  white 
Dome  which  surmounts  the  mighty  pile,  rising  high  in  the 
air,  is  visible  for  miles  around — indeed  from  every  elevated 
point  in  the  District.  From  it,  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach, 
may  be  seen  rolling  hills,  broad  valleys,  and  rivers.  The  E. 
facade  of  the  building  looks  out  upon  the  expansive  plain  of 
Capitol  Hill,  with  a  background  of  beautiful  elevations, 
those  on  the  right  being  beyond  the  Anacostia;  the  N. 
across  a  broad  intervening  valley  to  the  wooded  encircling 
hills  of  the  city;  the  S.  down  upon  the  low  grounds  and 
sparsely  settled  portions  of  the  city,  with  the  broad  Potomac 
and  Anacostia  mingling  their  waters  in  the  distance ;  the  W. 
overlooks  the  business  and  official  quarters,  the  lawns  and 
groves  of  the  Botanical  Garden,  the  Mall,  and  the  President's 
Grounds,  and  the  wooded  summit  of  University  Square,  with 
the  shining  domes  of  the  Observatory  and  Georgetown  Heights 
beyond. 

Approaches.— Broad  avs.  and  sts.,  11  in  number,  from  130 
to  160  ft.  wide,  radiate  from  the  Capitol  and  constitute  its  ap- 
proaches as  follows :  E.  front — to  the  NE.  Maryland  av.,  to 
the  SE.  Pennsylvania  av.,  and  to  the  E.  E.  Capitol  st.;  W. 
front — to  the  NW.  Pennsylvania  av.,  to  the  SW.  Maryland 
av.,  and  to  the  W.  lie  the  Botanical  Garden  and  Mall ;  N. 


58 


THE  GROUNDS. 


front— NE.  Delaware  av.,  NW.  New  Jersey  av.,  to  the  N. 
1ST.  Capitol  st.;  S.  front — to  the  SE,  New  Jersey  av.,  to  the 
SW.  Delaware  av.,  and  to  the  S.  S.  Capitol  st. 

The  Grounds. — The  grounds  surrounding  the  Capitol,  en- 
larged in  1872-'3,  by  the  purchase  of  squares  687  and  688,  for 
$684,199.15,  respectively  in  the  N.  E.  and  S.  E.  angles  form 
a  parallelogram  1,800  ft.  E.  and  W.  and  1,250  ft.  N.  and  S., 
containing  51 J  a.  The  Capitol  occupies  the  centre,  and  with 
its  massive  porticos,  broad  steps  and  blockings,  towering 
dome  and  columns,  pilasters,  entablatures,  with  architrave, 
frieze,  and  cornice,  pediment  and  balustrade,  is  one  of  the 
most  imposing  structures  in  the  world. 

In  1874,  Congress,  for  the  first  time,  took  steps  towards  a 
creditable  improvement  of  these  grounds.  A  topographical 
survey  was  made,  and  Fred.  Law  Olmstead  of  New  York, 
landscape  architect,  authorized  to  furnish  plans.  On  June 
23,  1874,  $200,000  were  appropriated  to  be  expended  under 
the  direction  of  the  architect  of  the  Capitol.  Mr.  Olmstead, 
charged  with  the  execution  of  the  plans,  was  aided  by  John 
A.  Partridge,  engineer  in  charge,  and  Geo.  Kent  Eadford, 
consulting  engineer. 

The  general  features  of  the  improvements  are  the  continua- 
tion of  East  Capitol  st.,  to  connet  with  a  broad  paved  carriage 
court,  (Neuchatel  pavement,)  300  ft.  wide  in  front  of  the  cen- 
tral portico.  On  either  side  is  an  undulating  space  of  oval 
shape.  On  that  portion  facing  the  building  is  a  seat  with 
blue  stone  plinth,  and  base,  Seneca  back  and  blue  stone  coping 
and  cap.  The  seat  is  divided  into  8  spaces  by  piers  of  blue 
stone  and  Seneca,  3  ft.  4  in.  high,  surmounted  by  bronze 
lamps  12  ft.  high.  In  front  is  laid  a  patent  Mosaic  pavement 
in  colors. 

In  front  of  the  central  portico  stands  6  lamp  piers  13  ft. 
3  in.  high,  blue  stone  base,  with  red  sand  stone  band,  and 
above,  blue  stone  and  polished  Passamaquoddy  (red)  granite, 
in  alternate  courses,  surmounted  by  bronze  lamp  posts,  12  ft. 
high,  designed  by  Thomas  Wisedell,  of  N.  Y.,  cast  by  Janes, 
of  N.  Y.,  1874.  In  the  rear,  on  either  side  of  the  main 
avenue,  is  a  flower  casket,  base  40  by  30  ft.,  of  blue  stone 
and  granite,  and  surmounted  by  a  bronze  vase,  from  which 
rises  a  spray  fountain.  Around  each  casket  is  a  pavement 
similar  to  that  in  front  of  the  seat. 

The  plans  yet  to  be  acted  upon  for  the  West  Park  contem- 
plate a  terrace  50  ft.  wide,  with  supporting  walls  10  ft.  high. 
Opposite  the  central  western  portico  an  imposing  double 
flight  of  steps  will  descend  to  a  terraced  walk,  40  ft.  wide 


."ll 


60 


THE  GROUNDS. 


and  1,000  ft.  long,  terminating  in  beautiful  pavilions.  Op- 
posite the  main  steps  is  another  descent  to  the  three  main 
diverging  foot-ways. 

From  the  various  converging  avenues  drives  and  foot  ap- 
proaches lead  into  the  grounds  through  appropriate  entrances, 
to  the  carriage  court  and  porte  cocheres.  At  the  Pennsylva- 
nia and  Maryland  avenue  foot  approaches,  on  the  west,  will 
be  large  fountains.  In  the  northeastern  space  is  the  Sumner 
beech,  so  called  in  consideration  of  the  Senator's  admiration. 

In  front  of  the  central  western  projection  of  the  portico  is 
an  oval  basin,  (78,827  galls.,)  which  receives  the  water  from  a 
white  and  blue  marble  fountain  near  by,  erected  in  1834,  and 
fed  from  a  covered  reservoir  under  the  carriage  court  at  the 
head  of  the  main  avenue,  East  Park,  supplied  from  Smith's 
Spring,  1J  m.  1ST.  of  the  Capitol,  just  NE.  of  Howard  Uni- 
versity, and  purchased  in  1832.  In  this  basin,  in  1814,  stood 
the  Naval  Monument  to  the  memory  of  the  officers  who  fell 
in  the  Tripolitan  war,  1804,  now  stands  in  the  U.  S.  Naval 
Academy  grounds  at  Annapolis,  Md. 

In  the  E.  Park  is  the  colossal  statue  of  George  Washington, 
44  the  father  of  his  country,"  by  Horatio  Greenou^h,  of  Mass., 
ordered  by  Congress,  1832,  for  the  Rotunda  of  rhe  Capitol, 
made  in  Florence,  Italy,  was  8  years  in  completion,  weighs 
12  tons,  if  erect  would  be  12  ft.  high,  and  cost,  including 
sculptor's  work,  freight,  removals,  and  attendant  expenses, 
$44,000;  of  this  $5,000  were  for  transportation  from  the 
Washington  navy  yard  to  the  Rotunda,  about  1  m.  The  large 
size  of  the  statue  has  occasioned  considerable  embarrassment. 
It  was  designed  b}^  Congress  that  it  should  be  suitable  to  the 
interior  of  the  Capitol.  It  was  found  entirely  out  of  propor- 
tion there.    Its  final  resting  place  is  yet  a  matter  of  doubt. 

In  the  figure,  the  right  hand  points  to  heaven,  and  the  left,  advanced,  holds  a 
Roman  short  sword,  the  handle  presented.  Over  the  right  arm  and  lower  parts  of 
the  body  falls  a  mantle.  The  seat  is  ornamented  with  acanthus  leaves  and  garlands 
of  flowers.  The  carvings  in  the  back  admits  of  a  view  of  the  back  of  the  statue.  A 
small  figure  of  Columbus  rests  against  the  left  arm  of  the  seat,  and  of  an  I«dian 
against  the  right.  In  basso  relievo  on  the  right  of  the  seat  is  represented  Phaeton  iit 
his  car,  drawn  by  fleet  steeds,  allegorically,  the  rising  sun,  and  the  crest  of  the  arms 
of  the  United  States.  On  the  left  are  represented  N.  and  S.  America,  as  the  infant 
Hercules  strangling  the  serpent,  and  Iphiclus  on  the  ground  shrinking  from  the  con- 
test. The  back  of  the  scat  bears  the  inscription,  ''^Simulacrum  istud  ad  magnum 
Libertatis  exemplum  nec  sine  ipsa  duratururn.  HORATIUS  GREENOUGH,  Faciabat. 
(  This  statue  is  for  a  great  example  of  Liberty,  nor  without  Liberty  will  the  exam- 
ple endure.  Horatio  Greenough,  Sculptor.)  The  pedestal  is  12  ft.  high,  and  of 
solid  blocks  of  New  England  granite.  The  inscriptions  are:  S.  face,  "First  in 
Peace  N.,  "  First  in  War ;  "  W.,  14  First  in  the  hearts  of  his  Countrymen.1'  A 
better  effect  for  the  statute,  and  particularly  softening  its  necessarily  coarse  linesr 
would  be  secured  by  elevating  the  pedestal  to  a  height  of  at  least  25  ft. 

In  1840  a  United  States  frigate  was  despatched  by  Congress  to  bring  the  statue  to- 
the  United  States.  The  hatches,  however,  were  not  sufficiently  large  to  admit  it 
into  the  hold.  A  merchant  ship,  the  Sea,  was  chartered  and  altered  to  accommo- 
date the  unwieldly  mass.    In  1841  it  arrived  and  was  placed  in  the  rotunda  of  the 


THE  GROUNDS. 


61 


Capitol.  The 
main  door  was 
cut  away  to  ad- 
mit it,  and  a  pier 
of  masonry  e- 
rected  beneath 
the  pavement  to 
support  it.  Here 
it  was  out  of  pro- 
portion, and  in 
1842  it  was  re- 
moved to  the  E. 
Park,  where  it 
stood  for  many 
years  beneath 
an  uncouth  shel- 
ter of  pine 
boards.  The  sta- 
tue, while  ad- 
mired as  a  work 
of  art,  has  been 
much  criticised 
as  a  misconcep- 
tion of  the  char- 
acter in  which 
the  subject  is 
held  in  the  hearts 
of  his  country- 
men. A  foreign 
writer  has  desig- 
nated it 14  a  sort 
of  domestic  Ju- 
piter." 

The  Capitol 
originally  stood 
on  the  declivity 
of  the  hill,  and 
on  the  W.  pre- 
sented a  story 
below  the  base 
line  on  the  E. 
To  correct  this 
defect  and  great- 
ly enhance  the 
imposing  ap- 
pearance of  the 
structure,  the 
semicircular 
range  of  case- 
mates, utilized  for  fuel  and  storage,  was  constructed,  the  outer  face  forming  a  beauti- 
ful green  glacis.  The  terre-pltin  is  paved  with  Maryland  Seneca  stone,  with  an  outer 
cap  of  New  England  granite.  In  1828  the  terrace  was  connected  with  the  building  by 
the  broad  platform  opposite  the  western  projection, and  the  west  door  was  cut  through. 
In  1873  the  iron  railing  which  enclosed  the  grounds  was  removed  to  give  place  to  an 
•enlarged  line  of  enclosure  then  purchased. 

The  configuration  of  the  immediate  eminence  upon  which 
the  Capitolstands  has  been  materially  changed  and  beauti- 
fied by  the  hand  of  art.  The  original  slopes  have  been  mod- 
ified by  terraces  and  slopes  falling  to  the  level  of  the  divergent 
avenues.    There  is  also  an  enlarged  line  of  enclosure,  em- 


GREENOUGH  S  STATUE  OF  WASHINGTON. 


62 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION. 


bracing  the  acquisitions  of  additional  ground.  Outside  of 
this  runs  a  paved  footwalk,  with  heavy  granite  curbing,  with 
handsome  lamp-posts,  on  the  line  of  the  thoroughfare^  The 
boundary  streets  are  also  paved  and  lighted. 

General  Description.— The  Capitol  of  the  United  States, 
as  now  completed,  is  unquestionably  the  finest  and  largest 
building  of  the  kind  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  does  credit 
to  the  skill  of  the  architects  and  the  taste  of  the  nation. 
In  durability  of  structure  and  costliness  of  material  it  is  also 
superior  to  any  other.  The  great  edifices  of  the  Old  World 
are  accumulations  of  a  number  of  centuries.  The  Capitol 
of  the  United  States  is  the  stupendous  work  of  less  than 
a  single  century.  The  elevated  seat,  formed  by  nature  and 
art,  upon  which  the  Capitol  stands,  is  89J  ft.  above  ordinary 
low  tide  in  the  Potomac,  1  mile  distant,  and  is  admirably 
adapted  to  the  display  of  its  vast  proportions  and  architecture. 
The  entire  length  of  the  building  is  751  ft.,  and  the  greatest 
depth,  the  breadth  of  the  wings,  324  ft.,  including  the  porticos 
and  steps.  The  ground-plan  covers  about  3  J  acres.  The  struc- 
ture in  detail  consists  of  a  main  building  and  two  extensions, 
with  connecting  corridors.  The  main  or  central  building  is 
352  ft.  in  length,  and,  exclusive  of  the  W.  projection,  121J 
ft.  deep,  with  an  E.  central  colonnaded  portico  160  ft.  wide, 
consisting  of  rows  of  monolithic  Corinthian  columns,  24  in 
number  and  30  ft.  high,  exclusive  of  pedestals.  The  portico 
is  elevated  on  a  rustic  basement,  surmounted  by  an  enriched 
entablature  and  pediment,  the  latter  80  ft.  broad.  Over  this 
rises  an  attic  story,  surmounted  by  the  Dome,  135  ft.  in  diam- 
eter. In  the  rear  and  on  either  side  of  this  main  portico  the 
edifice  rests  on  a  basement  to  correspond  with  that  of  the 
portico.  Above  this  rises  the  order,  two  stories  in  height, 
with  pilasters,  an  entablature,  frieze,  and  surmounting  bal- 
ustrade, carried  out  in  the  same  architectural  design.  It  is 
proposed,  at  some  future  day,  to  take  down  this  portico,  and 
extend  the  front  of  the  central  building  E.,  to  bring  it  at 
least  on  a  line  with  the  E.  front  of  the  two  extensions,  so  as 
to  perfect  the  architectural  group.  Between  the  original 
building  and  each  of  the  extensions,  which  lie  at  the  X.  and 
S.  ends  of  the  building,  is  a  connecting  corridor  of  44  ft.  in 
length  and  56  ft.  depth,  with  four  fluted  columns  on  either 
front.  Each  extension  has  a  front  of  143  ft.  facing  the  E. 
and  W.,  and  depth  of  239  ft.  along  the  N".  and  S.  facades. 
The  latter  is  exclusive  of  the  porticos  and  steps  on  the  E., 
which  correspond  with  the  main  building. 

The  facades  of  each  extension  are  embellished  with  porti- 
cos on  three  sides,  those  on  the  E.  consisting  of  22  fluted 


THE  DOME. 


63 


monolithic  columns  in  two  rows,  N.  and  S.,  and  10  on  the 
AV.  ends,  the  columns  facing  the  ~N.  and  S.  respectively  con- 
stituting the  N.  and  S.  fronts  of  the  building.  The  porticos 
of  the  ISr.  and  S.  facades  are  124  ft.  front. 

The  W,  front  of  the  main  building  presents  a  central  pro- 
jection of  83  ft.  by  160  ft.  front,  with  a  recessed  colonnade 
100  ft.  in  extent,  consisting  of  10  coupled  columns,  elevated 
on  a  rustic  basement,  as  the  E.  front,  and  rising,  with  its  en- 
tablature and  balustrade,  to  the  roof,  surmounted  by  a  pan- 
eled screen  or  attic.  The  rest  of  the  W.  front  is  the  same 
as  the  E.  There  are  no  steps  on  the  W.  front  of  the  main 
building,  it  being  entered  from  the  upper  terrace.  The  exten- 
sions stand  on  a  foundation  of  granite,  raised  about  4  ft.  on 
all  sides ;  the  basement  or  ground  floor  is  reached  by  granite 
steps.  On  the  E.  facade  are  three  broad  flights  of  steps, 
which  lead  to  the  commencement  of  the  order.  Beneath  the 
basement  is  a  sub-basement,  visible  only  and  accessible  on 
the  outside  from  the  casemated  terrace  on  the  W. 

The  material  employed  in  the  central  building  first  erected 
is  freestone,  from  the  Government  quarries  at  Aquia  Creek, 
about  40  m.  below  the  city,  purchased  by  the  Commissioners 
in  1791.  This  is  painted,  in  order  to  conform  in  general  ap- 
pearance with  the  wings,  wThich  are  built  of  white  marble, 
from  Lee,  Massachusetts.  The  marble  columns  of  the  exten- 
sions are  from  the  quarries  at  Cockeysville,  Maryland,  about 
20  m.  N.  of  Baltimore. 

The  appropriations  made  by  Congress  from  1800  to  date 
for  the  erection,  repair,  and  preservation  of  the  Capitol 
amount  to  $13,000,000. 

The  Dome. — Out  of  the  centre  of  the  main  building  rises 
the  great  Dome  of  the  Capitol,  designed  by  Walter,  and  which 
replaced  a  smaller  one  removed  in  1856.  It  is  of  the  follow- 
ing dimensions : 

Exterior  Height — above  the  base  line  of  the  E.  facade  of  the 
Capitol  to  the  top  of  the  lantern,  288  ft.;  above  the  W.  gate 
of  the  park,  360  ft.;  above  the  balustrade  of  the  building,  218 
ft.;  statue  of  Freedom  on  the  apex,  19 J  ft.  Total  height  from 
base  line  to  crest  of  statue  of  Freedom,  307J  ft.  Total  height 
above  low  tide  in  the  Potomac,  397  ft.    Diameter,  135J  ft. 

The  Dome  rests  on  an  octagonal  base  or  stylobate^  93  ft. 
above  the  basement  floor,  and  as  it  leaves  the  top  line  of  the 
building  consists  of  &  peristyle,  124  ft.  in  diameter,  of  36  iron 
fluted  columns,  27  ft.  high,  and  weighing  6  tons  each.  Above 
this  is  a  balustrade.  From  the  entablature  of  the  peristyle 
to  the  attic  is  44  ft.  Above  the  balustrade  begins  the  domi- 
cal covering.   The  apex  is  surmounted  by  a  lantern,  15  ft.  in 


64 


THE  DOME 


diameter  and  50  ft.  high,  surrounded  by  a  peristyle,  and 
crowned  by  tiie  bronze  Statue  of  Freedom.  Just  below  the 
lantern  is  a  balustrade  around  the  crowning  platform.  The 
outer  domical  shell  is  pierced  with  glazed  openings  for  the 
admission  of  light.  In  the  lantern  is  a  reflecting  lamp,  lighted 
by  electricity,  and  used  only  when  either  or  both  Houses  of 
Congress  are  sitting  at  night.  This  light  is  visible  from  all 
parts  of  the  city. 
The  Statue  of  Freedom,  by  Crawford,  1865,  which  sur- 
mounts the  lantern  of  the  Dome,  rep- 
resents the  figure  of  a  female,  the  r. 
hand  resting  on  the  hilt  of  a  sheathed 
sword;  the  1.  on  a  shield,  and  holding 
a  wreath.  The  crest  of  the  helmet  con- 
sists of  an  eagle's  beak,  embellished 
with  plumes  of  feathers.  This  head- 
gear was  not  the  conception  of  the 
artist,  but  an  after-suggestion.  The 
original  model  represented  a  simple 
head-band,  encircled  with  stars.  The 
drapery  of  the  figure  is  both  chaste  and 
striking.  Over  an  inner  garb  is  a  fur- 
red robe,  tastefully  adjusted  over  the 
1.  shoulder  and  falling  over  the  1.  arm  ; 
at  the  waist  it  is  gathered  in  loose  folds, 
and  held  by  a  brooch,  bearing  the  let- 
ters U.  S.  The  attitude  of  the  statue 
exhibits  in  a  striking  degree  the  beauty 
of  feminine  grace  with  decision.  The 
statue  is  19J  ft.  high,  and  the  weight  of 
bronze  14,985  lbs.,  or  6  tons  (2,240  lbs.) 
and  1,545  lbs.  It  was  cast  at  Clark 
Mills'  foundry  at  Bladensburg,  5  m. 
NE.  of  Washington,  and  cost  $23,796.  The  statue  stands  on 
a  bronze  capping  for  the  Dome,  representing  a  globe,  with 
an  encircling  zone,  upon  which  are  the  words  "F  Plvribus 
Unitm."  The  weight  of  iron  used  in  the  Dome  is  8,009,200 
ft>s.,  or  3,575  tons  (2,240)  1,200  lbs.  The  Dome  stands  upon 
a  substruction  of  masonry,  which  forms  the  foundation  of  the 
outside  walls,  and  also  upon  40  interior  columns,  which  sup- 
port heavy  arches,  upon  which  rests  the  pavement  of  the 
Kotunda.  The  casting  and  erecting  of  the  iron  work  of  the 
immense  structure  was  done  by  Janes,  Beebe  &  Co.,  New 
York.  There  are  two  smaller  domes  and  a  number  of  lan- 
terns and  skylights.  The  roof  of  the  entire  building  is  cov- 
ered with  copper. 


STATUE  OF  FREEDOM. 


PORTICOS. 


65 


The  following  are  the  dimensions  of  the  three  greatest 
domes  of  Europe : 

St .  Peter's,  Koine,  from  the  pavement  to  the  base  of  the 
lantern,  405  ft. ;  to  the  top  of  the  cross  outside,  458  ft.;  ex- 
terior diameter  of  the  cupola,  195 J  ft. ;  interior,  139  ft.  St. 
Paul's*,  London,  England,  to  the  top  of  the  cross,  404  ft.;! 
diameter,  112  ft.  Hotel  cles  Invalides,  Paris,  France,  over 
the  Tomb  of  Napoleon,  323  ft. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  Dome  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United1 
United  States  ranks  fifth  in  height  and  fourth  in  diameter. 
The  dome  of  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Isaac,  at  St.  Petersburg,  the 
National  Church  of  Russia,  is  363  ft.  in  height,  and  is  also  a 
magnificent  structure,  built  of  iron  and  bronze. 

Porticos.— The  E.  facade  of  the  Capitol  is  broken  by  three 
grand  porticos,  reached  by  broad  flights  of  steps,  and  from 
which  open  the  three  principal  doorways.  Beneath  each  of 
these  porticos  are  massive  vaulted  carriage  ways  to  the  base- 
ment entrances,  the  centre  one  of  which  opens  into  the  Crypt. 
The  main  Portico^  160  ft.  in  length,  consists  of  24  monolithic 
columns,  30  ft.  high.  On  the  tympanum  of  the  pediment  is 
an  allegorical  group  in  alto  relievo,  by  Persico,  an  Italian, 
representing  the  Genius  of  America.  The  principal  figure, 
representing  America,  is  of  semi-colossal  size,  and  standing 
on  a  broad  unadorned  plinth,  holding  in  her  hand  a  poised 
shield,  with  U.  S.  A.  emblazoned  in  the  centre  of  a  ray  of 
glory.  The  shield,  which  is  oval,  represents  an  ornamented  ( 
altar,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a  wreath  of  oak  leaves,  in  basso 
relievo,  encircling  J uly  4, 1776.  In  the  rear  of  the  figure  rests  \ 
a  broad  spear,  and  at  her  feet  an  eagle,  with  partly-spread 
wings.  The  head  of  the  figure  is  crowned  with  a  star,  and 
inclines  towards  the  figure  of  "  Hope,"  who  is  addressing  her. 
The  right  arm  of  "Hope  V  is  raised,  and  the  left  rests  on  the. 
stock  of  an  anchor,  the  hand  grasping  part  of  the  drapery. 
The  Genius  of  America,  in  reply  to  Hope,  who  is  recounting 
the  glory  of  the  nation,  points  to  the  figure  on  the  other  side,  ,.- 
which  represents  Justice,  with  eyes  uplifted,  and  holding  in " 
the  right  hand  a  partly-unrolled  scroll,  on  which  is  inscribed1 
"  Constitution  of  the  United  States,"  and  in  the  left  the  scales^ 
Justice  has  neither  bandage  nor  sword,  representing  that 
American  justice  judges  intelligently.  The  emblematic  char- 
acter of  the  group  suggests  that,  however  Hope  may  flatter, 
all  prosperity  should  be  founded  in  public  right  and  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  Constitution.  The  execution  of  the  work  is 
excellent,  but  cannot  be  entirely  appreciated  from  its  raised 
position.  All  the  figures  are  cut  in  sandstone,  and  7  J  ft.  in 
height.  The  sculptor  at  first  contemplated  giving  more 
5 


66 


PORTICOS. 


nudity  to  the  group,  but  being  persuaded  that  it  was  con- 
trary to  the  sentiment  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  went 
to  the  other  extreme.  The  ascent  to  this  portico  is  by  an  im- 
posing flight  of  freestone  steps,  flanked  on  either  side' by  mas- 
sive buttresses.  On  the  S.  buttress  stands  a  semi-colossal 
group  of  statuary  by  Persico,  an  Italian,  1846,  representing 
the  Discovery  of  America,  in  a  figure  of  Columbus,  holding 
aloft  a  small  globe,  on  the  top  of  which  is  inscribed  America 
At  his  side  crouches  an  astonished  and  awe-stricken  Indian 
maiden.  The  group  consumed  5  years  in  execution,  and 
cost  $24,000.  It  is  said  that  the  armor  is  true  to  a  rivet,  hav- 
ing been  copied  from  a  suit  in  the  palace  of  the  descendants 
of  the  discoverer  at  Genoa.  The  corresponding  group  on 
the  N.  buttress,  by  Greenough,  1842,  represents  the  First  Set- 
tlement  of  America,  consisting  of  five  figures  :  a  hunter  rescu- 
ing a  woman  and  child  from  the  murderous  Indian,  while  by 
the  side  is  a  faithful  dog.  The  work  consumed  about  12 
years  in  execution,  and  cost  $24,000.  It  is  of  Servazza  mar- 
ble. Persico  was  first  designated  to  make  this  group.  In  the 
niches  on  the  r.  and  1.  of  the  great  Bronze  Door,  opening  into 
the  Rotunda,  are  the  colossal  statues  of  Peace  and  War,  both 
by  Persico,  1832.  Peace  is  represented  by  the  Goddess  Ceres, 
a  gentle  maiden,  with  loose  flowing  robes  and  sandals.  In 
her  r.  hand  she  bears  fruit,  and  her  1.  an  olive  branch.  War 
is  represented  by  Mars,  a  stern  warrior,  attired  in  Roman 
toga,  belt,  and  tunic,  with  helmet  and  sandals.  The  tunic 
bears  the  symbols  of  his  victims.  The  statues  are  of  the 
finest  quality  of  Cararra  marble,  each  9  ft.  in  height,  were 
5  years  in  execution,  and  cost  $12,000  apiece.  Both  are  fine 
specimens  of  art.  Over  the  Bronze  Door  is  a  basso  relievo  by 
Capellano,  1827,  representing  Fame  and  Peace  in  the  act  of 
placing  a  laurel  wreath  upon  the  brow  of  Washington.  In 
panels  on  either  side  are  bundles  of  radiating  arrows,  with 
surroundings  of  leaves. 

The  E.  Portico  of  the  North  or  Senate  Extension  is  reached 
by  a  broad  flight  of  46  marble  steps,  broken  by  4  landings, 
and  flanked  by  massive  cheek-blocks,  carrying  out  the  design 
of  the  central  Portico.  This  portico  measures  143  ft.,  and  is 
adorned  by  a  double  row  of  monolithic  Corinthian  columns, 
22  in  all,  30  ft.  high,  exclusive  of  base,  and  is  surmounted 
by  a  pediment  of  72  ft.  span.  The  group  of  figures  on  the 
Tympanum,  by  Thomas  Crawford,  symbolizes  the  Progress 
of  Civilization  in  the  United  States.  The  centre  figure  repre- 
sents America,  with  the  rising  sun  in  the  background.  On 
her  r.  are  figures  of  War  and  Commerce,  Youth  and  Educa- 
tion, Mechanics  and  Agriculture.  On  her  1.  the  Pioneer,  the 
Hunter,  and  the  Aboriginal  Race.    The  latter  is  represented 


MAIN  BRONZE  DOOR. 


67 


by  an  Indian  and  squaw,  with  an  infant  in  her  arms,  seated 
by  a  filled  grave,  typical  of  the  decadence  of  the  red  race. 
This  group,  ordered  in  1862,  was  cut  by  Italians,  out  of  Amer- 
ican marble  from  Massachusetts,  and  cost  $45,950. 

The  E .  Portico  of  the  South  or  "House ' '  Extension,  in  archi- 
tectural design,  dimensions,  and  material,  is  the  same  as 
that  of  the  N.  Extension.  The  portico  is  without  statuary 
or  sculptured  embellishment ;  yet,  with  its  beautiful  marble 
columns  supporting  the  entablature  and  surmounting  pedi- 
ment, it  is  grand  in  its  nude  proportions. 

The  W.  facade,  the  central  projection  and  extensions,  and 
the  N".  and  S.  faces  of  the  building,  are  decorated  with  col- 
onnades, of  beautiful  proportions,  and  surmounted  by  balus- 
trades, all  in  harmony  with  the  porticos  on  the  E. 

Main  Bronze  Door. — The  great  Bronze  Door,  designed  and 
modeled  in  Rome,  in  1858,  by 
Randolph  Rogers,  and  cast  in 
bronze  in  Munich  in  1860  by  F. 
v.  Miller,  fills  the  main  door- 
way, from  the  grand  Portico 
into  the  Rotunda.  The  leaves 
or  valves  of  the  door,  which  is 
double,  stand  in  a  superbly  en- 
riched casing,  also  of  bronze, 
and,  opened,  fold  back  into  suit- 
ably fitted  jambs.  The  entire 
height  is  19  ft;  width,  9  ft.; 
weighs  20,000  lbs,  and  cost  §28,- 
000.  Each  leaf  is  divided  into 
8  panels,  in  addition  to  the 
transom-panel  under  the  arch. 
Each  of  these  contains  a  com- 
plete scene,  in  alto  relievo.  The 
back  of  the  door  is  finished  with 
a  simple  star  in  the  centre  of 
each  panel,  corresponding  witli 
the  front.  A  plain  molding  re- 
lieves the  blank  space  of  each. 

The  great  Bronze  Door  is  a  credit  to  the 
magnificence  and  magnitude  of  the  Capi- 
tol. In  1S62,  contrary  to  the  views  of  Mr. 
Walter,  Architect  of  the  Capitol,  it  was 
placed  in  the  S.  doorway  of  the  old  Hall  of 
Representatives,  now  the  Hall  of  Statuary. 
MAIN  BRONZE  DOOB.  In  1871  it  was  removed,  and  has  since 

(See  pages  63, 69.)  properly  constituted  the  main  door  to  the 

Capitol.  In  the  event  of  the  projection  of  this  portico  to  the  east  line  of  the  Exten- 
sions, the  Bronze  Door,  it  is  suggested  by  the  architect,  should  form  the  inner  or 
vestibule  door,  where  the  architecture  should  be  in  harmony  with  its  design. 


68 


MAIN  BRONZE  DOOR. 


The  events  portrayed  on  the  door  constitute  the  principal 
events  in  the  Life  of  Columbus  and  the  Discovery  of 
America,  with  an  ornate  enrichment  of  emblematic  de- 
signs. On  the  key  of  the  arch  of  the  casing  is  a  Head  of 
Columbus;  a  very  excellent  piece  of  facial  execution.  On 
the  sides  of  the  casing  are  four  admirable  typical  statuettes, 
placed  in  niches  at  the  top  and  bottom  of  the  door,  and 
arranged  chronologically:  A,  Asia;  B,  Africa;  C,  Europe; 
D,  America,  The  rest  of  the  casing  is  embellished  with  a 
running  border  of  ancient  armor,  banners,  and  heraldic  de- 
signs; and  at  the  bottom,  on  either  side,  an  anchor — all  in 
basso  relievo,  and  emblematic  of  Navigation  and  Conquest. 
On  the  frame  of  each  leaf  of  the  door,  set  in  niches,  are  six- 
teen statuettes  of  the  patrons  and  contemporaries  of  Colum- 
bus. They  are  given  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  order  of  the 
importance  of  their  association  with  the  promulgation  and 
execution  of  his  theory,  or  in  the  extension  of  the  range  of 
geographical  exploration  inaugurated  by  him.  The  first  8 
figures  are  associated  in  pairs  when  the  doors  are  closed; 
when  opened,  they  are  divided,  but  should  be  examined  in 
the  order  of  the  references. 

1.  Alexander  VI,  Roderigo  Lenzoli  Borgia,  a  native  of  Spain,  Pope  of  Rome 
1492-1503. 

2.  Pedro  Gonzales  dc  Mendoza,  Archbishop  of  Toledo,  and  Grand  Cardinal  of 
Spain,  a  man  of  great  influence  at  court,  and  early  patron  of  Columbus. 

3.  Ferdinand,  King  of  Spain,  royal  patron  of  the  undertaking  of  Columbus. 

4.  Isabella,  Queen  of  Spain,  and  royal  patroness  of  Columbus. 

5.  Charles  VIII,  King  of  France,  an  enlightened  monarch  and  friend  to  the  cause 
of  discovery. 

6.  Lady  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla,  Marchioness  of  Moya,  and  friend  of  Columbus.  It 
is  said  that  the  likeness  is  of  Mrs.  Rogers,  wife  to  the  sculptor. 

7.  John  II,  King  of  Portugal,  the  monarch  who  rejected  the  proposals  of  Colum- 
bus. 

8.  Henry  VII,  King  of  England,  appealed  to  by  Bartholomew  Columbus  on  behalf 
of  his  brother;  meantime  the  discovery  was  accomplished  under  the  auspices  of 
Spain. 

9.  Juan  Perez  de  Marchena,  prior  of  the  Convent  of  La  Rabida,  and  friend  to 
Columbus. 

10.  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  commander  of  the  Pinta,  the  second  vessel  in  the  first 
fleet  across  the  ocean. 

11.  Hernando  Cortez,  early  companion  of  Columbus,  and  conqueror  of  Mexico. 

12.  Bartholomew  Columbus,  brother  to  Christopher,  advocate  of  his  theory  at  the 
court  of  Henry  VII,  and  first  Adelentado  of  Hispaniola.  It  is  said  that  the  likenesf 
is  of  the  sculptor. 

13.  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  a  companion  of  Columbus  in  his  first  voyage  of  discovery, 
and  one  of  the  most  daring  of  his  contemporaries. 

14.  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa,  discoverer  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  from  the  Isthmus  of 
Darien. 

15.  Amerigo  Vespucci,  one  of  the  earlier  discoverers  of  the  main  land  of  America, 
author  of  the  first  account  of  the  New  World,  and  from  whom  the  continent  takes  its 
name. 

16.  Francisco  Pizarro,  conqueror  of  Peru. 


MAIN  BRONZE  DOOR. 


The  panels  illustrate  in  alto  relievo  the  leading  events  in  the 
career  of  Columbus,  beginning  at  the  lower  panel  of  the  r.  or 
S.  leaf  of  the  door. 

I.  Columbus  examined  before  the  Council  of  Salamanca  respecting  his  theory 
of  the  globe,  which  was  rejected. 

II.  Departure  of  Columbus  for  the  Spanish  court  from  the  Convent  of  La  Rabida, 
near  Palos. 

III.  Audience  at  the  court  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella. 

IV.  Departure  of  Columbus  from  Palos  on  his  first  voyage  of  discovery. 

V.  Transom  panel,  Columbus  landed  on  the  Island  of  San  Salvador,  and  taking 
possession  in  the  name  of  his  sovereign. 

VI.  Encounter  with  the  natives. 

VII.  Triumphal  entree  of  Columbus  into  Barcelona. 
VIII.  Columbus  in  chains. 

IX.  The  death-bed  of  Columbus.  He  died  at  Valladolid,  May  20,  1506,  aged  70 
years.  His  last  words  were:  "  In  manus  tuas,  Domine,  commendo  spiritum  meum" 
"  Into  thy  hands,  O  Lord,  I  commend  my  spirit."  Thirty  years  after  his  remains 
were  transferred  to  the  Cathedral  of  San  Domingo,  on  the  island  of  that  name.  In 
1796,  when  the  Spaniards  lost  their  hold  on  the  island,  they  were  removed  to  Havana. 

Between  the  panels  are  a  series  of  heads,  representing  the 
historians  of  the  voyages  of  Columbus  and  his  followers.  That 
above  the  lower  or  N.  panel  of  the  door  is  Washington  Irving, 
and  in  the  corresponding  position  opposite  W.  H.  Prescott. 

The  three  most  celebrated  bronze  doors  of  Europe  are  in  Florence,  in  the  Church 
of  the  Baptistry  of  St.  John.  The  centre  one,  by  Lorenzo  Ghiberti,  1420-' 50,  con- 
sumed 30  years  in  execution,  and  illustrates  scenes  in  the  Old  Testament.  Michael 
Angelo  declared  this  gate  worthy  to  be  the  portal  of  Paradise.  The  others  are  by 
Andrea  Pisano,  1330,  and  Ghiberti,  1400-'' 20.  The  latter  illustrates  scenes  in  the 
New  Testament. 

Eotnnda. — From  the  central  Portico,  passing  through  the 
great  Bronze  Door,  the  visitor  stands  under  the  lofty  canopy 
of  the  Rotunda.  The  height  from  pavement  to  canopy  is 
180  ft.,  and  diameter  96  ft.  The  circuit  of  the  sides  is  di- 
vided into  eight  panels,  separated  by  massive  Roman  pilas- 
ters, supporting  an  entablature  ornamented  with  wreaths  of 
olive.  Festoons  of  elaborately  traced  flowers,  scrolls,  and 
wreaths  embellish  the  upper  portions  of  these  panels.  The 
wreaths  over  the  panels  encircle  busts  of  Columbus,  1.  of  W. 
door;  Cabot,  1.  of  E.  door;  Raleigh,  r.  of  W.  door;  and  La 
Salle,  r.  of  E.  door,  four  names  most  conspicuously  identified 
witii  the  history  of  the  early  discovery  and  exploration  of  the 
iN*.  American  continent,  executed  by  Capellano  and  Caucici, 
Italians,  both  pupils  of  Canova,  ordered  in  1827,  and  cost,  with 
the  frieze  and  wreath- work,  $9,500.  Over  the  four  entrances 
are  historical  subjects  in  alto  relievo,  ordered  in  1826,  cost 
each  $3,500. 

E.  Door, — Landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  1620  :  Caucici,  a  pupil 
of  Canova.  W.  Door. — Pocahontas  Saving  the  Life  of  Cap- 
tain  Smith :  Capellano,  1821,  a  pupil  of  Canova.  N.  Door,— 


70 


ROTUNDA. 


William  Penn  Holding  a  Conference  with  the  Indians,  1682  : 
Gavelot,  1827.  S.  Door. — Daniel  Boone  in  Conflict  with  the 
Indians,  1773  :  Caucici.    All  these  are  wretched  caricatures. 

It  is  designed  to  ornament  the  frieze,  300  ft.  in  length,  with 
sculpture,  representing  the  history  of  the  United  States,  and 
make  other  improvements  in  this  part  of  the  Capitol.  In  the 
panels  between  the  doors  of  the  Rotunda  are  historical  paint- 
ings, four  illustrating  the  discovery  and  settlement  of  North 
America,  and  four  the  leading  events  in  the  struggle  for  in- 
dependence. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence,  July  4, 1776. — 
Trumbull.  Ordered  1817,  cost  $8,000.  The  painting  in  the 
panel  on  the  r.  of  the  S.  door  represents  the  memorable 
Congress  of  1776  at  the  moment  of  signing  that  instrument 
of  American  liberty.  In  the  disposition  of  the  characters  the 
artist  consulted  Jefferson  and  Adams,  both  of  whom  were 
present.  The  style  of  dress,  the  furniture,  and  the  hall  itself, 
are  exact  reproductions  of  the  time  and  place.  The  promi- 
nent group  of  figures  on  the  r.  in  the  painting  are  Jefferson 
of  Va.,  the  author  of  the  instrument  before  named,  Adams 
of  Mass.,  Franklin  of  Penn.,  Hancock  of  Mass.,  Kutledge  of 
S.  C,  and  Thompson  of  Penn.  For  variety  of  composition, 
the  Committee  of  Five  are  represented  as  having  advanced  in 
a  body  to  the  President's  table,  instead  of  reporting  in  the 
usual  form,  through  their  chairman.  The  rigid  dignity  of  the 
scene  and  the  expression  of  determination  on  every  counte- 
nance will  be  observed. 

The  names  of  the  individuals  represented,  commencing  on 
the  observer's  left  (the  right  of  the  picture)  and  following  the 
line  towards  the  r.  are — 

I,  George  Wythe,  of  Va.;  2,  William  Whipple,  and  3,  Josiah  Bartlett,  of  N.  H.; 
4,  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Va.;  5,  Thomas  Lynch,  of  S.  C.j  6,  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
of  Va.;  7,  Samuel  Adams,  of  Mass.;  8,  George  Clinton,  of  N.  Y.;  9,  William  Paca, 
and  10,  Samuel  Chase,  of  Md.;  11,  Lewis  Morris,  and  12,  William  Floyd,  of  N.  Y.; 
13,  Arthur  Middleton,  and  14,  Thomas  Heyward,  of  S.  C;  15,  Charles  Carroll,  of 
Md.;  16,  George  Walton,  of  Ga.;  17,  Robert  Morris,  18,  Thomas  Willing,  and  19, 
Benjamin  Rush,  of  Penn.;  20,  Elbridge  Gerry,  and  21,  Robert  Treat  Paine,  of  Mass.; 
22,  Abraham  Clark,  of  N.  J.;  23,  Stephen  Hopkins,  and  24,  William  Ellery,  of  R.  I.; 
25,  George  Clymer,  of  Penn.;  26,  William  Hooper,  and  27,  Joseph  Hewes,  of  N.  C; 
28,  James  Wilson,  of  Penn.;  29,  Francis  Hopkinson,  of  N.  J.;  30,  John  Adams,  of 
Mass.;  31,  Roger  Sherman,  of  Conn.,  32,  Robert  L.  Livingston,  of  N.  Y.;  33,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  of  Va.;  34,  Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Penn.;  35,  Richard  Stockton,  N.  J.;  36, 
Francis  Lewis,  N.  Y.;  37,  John  Witherspoon,  of  N.  J.;  38,  Samuel  Huntington,  39, 
William  Williams,  and  40,  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Conn.;  41,  John  Hancock,  of  Mass.; 
42,  Charles  Thompson,  of  Penn.;  43,  George  Read,  Del.;  44,  John  Dickinson,  of 
Penn.;  45,  Edward  Rutledge,  of  S.  C;  46,  Thomas  McKean,  of  Del.;  and  47, 
Philip  Livingston,  of  N.  Y. 

The  Surrender  of  Burgoyne,  October,  1777.— -Trum- 
bull.  Ordered  1817,  cost  $8,000.  The  painting  in  the  pan- 
el on  the  1.  of  the  W.  door  represents  the  surrender  of  the 


ROTUNDA. 


71 


SECTIONAL  VIEW  OF  THE  DOME. 
(From    Washington  Inside  and  Outside.  "> 


72 


ROTUNDA. 


British  Gen.  Burgoyne  to  the  American  Gen.  Gates  at  Sara- 
toga. The  scene  portrayed  represents  Burgoyne,  attended 
by  Gen.  Phillips  and  other  officers,  dismounted,  and  near  the 
marquee  of  the  American  commander,  offering  his  sword  to 
Gen.  Gates,  who  advances,  but  declines  to  receive  the  token 
of  submission,  and  invites  the  fallen  general  into  his  quar- 
ters. On  the  r.  of  Gates  is  a  group  of  the  principal  officers 
of  the  American  army  of  the  N.  In  the  background  will  be 
observed  the  British  army  at  the  confluence  of  Fish  Creek  and 
N.  River.  The  troops,  in  long  lines,  under  the  direction  of 
Col.  Lewis,  Quartermaster  General  of  the  American  army, 
and  headed  by  American,  British,  and  German  officers,  are 
moving  across  the  creek  and  meadows  towards  the  place  of 
surrender  in  the  foreground. 

The  portraits  introduced,  beginning  on  the  observer's  left, 
are — 

I,  Maj.  Lithgow,  of  Mass.;  2,  Col.  Cilly,  and  3,  Gen.  Starke,  of  N.  H.;  4.  Capt. 
Seymour,  of  Conn.,  of  Sheldon's  Horse ;  5,  Maj.  Hull,  and  6,  Col.  Greaton,  of  Mass.; 
7,  Maj.  Dearborn,  and  8,  Col.  Scammell,  of  N.H.;  9,  Col.  Lewis,  of  N.  Y.,  Quarter- 
master General;  10,  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  of  the  British  army;  II,  Lieut.  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne, Commander  of  the  British  forces;  12,  Gen.  Baron  Rcidesel,  of  the  British 
army,  (German);  13,  Col.  Wilkinson,  Deputy  Adjutant  General  of  the  American 
army;  14,  Gen.  Gates,  Commander  of  the  American  forces;  15,  Col.  Prescott,  of 
Mass.  Volunteers;  16,  Col.  Morgan,  of  the  Va.  Riflemen;  17,  Brig.  Gen.  Rufus 
Putnam,  and  18,  Lieut.  Col.  Brooks,  of  Mass  ;  19,  Rev.  Mr.  Hitchcock,  of  R»  I., 
Chaplain;  20,  Maj.  Robert  Troup,  of  N.  Y.,  Aid-de-Camp  ;  21,  Maj.  Haskell,  of 
Mass.;  22,  Maj.  (after  Gen.)  Armstrong,  Aid-de-Camp  ;  23,  Maj.  Gen.  Philip  Schuy- 
ler, of  N.  Y.;  24,  Brig.  Gen.  Glover,  of  Mass.;  25,  Brig.  Gen.  Whipple,  of  the  N. 
H.  Militia;  26,  Maj.  Clarkson,  of  N.  Y.,  Aid-de-Camp;  and  27,  Maj.  Stevens,  of 
Mass.,  commanding  artillery. 

The  Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  October,  1781.— 
Trumbull.  Ordered  1817,  cost  $8,000.  The  painting  on  the 
r.  of  the  W.  door  represents  the  closing  scene  in  the  contest 
between  the  Colonies  and  the  mother  country,  the  surrender 
of  the  army  of  Lord  Cornwallis  to  the  Americans  at  York- 
town,  Virginia. 

The  event  is  associated  with  an  incident  which  should  be 
borne  in  mind  in  order  to  comprehend  what  might  seem  out 
of  keeping.  About  18  months  before  the  surrender,  Gen. 
Lincoln,  in  command  of  the  American  forces  at  Charleston, 
S.  C,  had  been  obliged  to  capitulate  to  the  British.  Lord 
Cornwallis  at  that  time  refused  to  allow  the  American  com- 
mander to  march  out  of  the  city  with  colors  flying  and  other 
honors  customary  under  the  circumstances.  The  terms  of 
surrender  accorded  to  Lord  Cornwallis  in  this  instance  were 
the  same  as  he  had  granted  to  Gen.  Lincoln.  Gen.  Wash- 
ington, the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  to  whom  the  honor  of 
receiving  the  surrender  was  due,  appointed  Gen.  Lincoln  to 
superintend  the  submission  of  the  British,  in  the  same  man- 


ROTUNDA. 


73 


ner  as  the  American  Gen.  and  his  troops  had  been  treated  at 
Charleston. 

The  American  forces  will  be  seen  in  order  of  battle  on  the 
r.  of  the  road  leading  into  York ;  Washington  and  the  Ameri- 
can general  officers  resting  on  the  r.  of  the  line.  The  French 
troops  face  the  Americans  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  road, 
with  Gen.  Rochambeau  and  the  chief  officers  of  the  French 
army  and  navy  on  their  1.  The  British  troops,  with  shoul- 
dered arms,  colors  cased,  and  drums  beating,  are  filing  out  of 
the  town,  approaching  the  two  lines  of  the  victorious  Ameri- 
cans and  French  to  the  place  of  surrender,  from  whence,  hav- 
ing grounded  and  left  their  arms,  they  will  march  back  un- 
armed to  their  quarters. 

The  scene  itself  represents  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  chief 
officers,  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  Lincoln,  passing  the  op- 
posite groups  of  American  and  French  generals  and  entering 
between  the  two  lines  of  the  victors.  By  this  disposition  the 
chief  actors  in  the  scene  are  brought  out  boldly.  In  the  dis- 
tance the  town  of  York  is  visible,  with  the  conquered  troops 
marching  out.  York  River  and  the  Chesapeake  Bay  are  also 
brought  in,  and  afford  a  general  idea  of  the  topographical  sur- 
roundings. It  may  be  added,  with  respect  to  the  French  offi- 
cers, that  their  portraits  were  obtained  from  Paris,  in  1787, 
and  were  taken  from  life,  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Jefferson, 
then  Minister  of  the  United  States  to  France. 

The  following  are  the  portraits  given,  commencing  on  the 
observer's  1. : 

i,  Count  Deuxponts;  2,  Duke  de  Laval  Montmorency,  and  3,  Count  Custine, 
Cols,  of  French  Infantry;  4.  Duke  de  Lauzun,  Col.  of  French  Cavalry;  5,  Gen. 
Choizy ;  6,  Viscount  Viomeuil;  7,  Marquis  de  St.  Simon;  8,  Count  Fersen,  and 
9,  Count  Dumas,  Aids-de-Camp  to  Count  Rochambeau;  10,  Marquis  Chastellux ; 
11,  Baron  Viomeuil;  12,  Count  de  Barre  and  Count  de  Grasse,  Admirals  in  the 
French  Navy;  14,  Count  Rochambeau,  Gen. -in-Chief  of  the  French  forces;  15, 
Gen.  Lincoln,  American  Army;  16,  Col.  Stevens,  American  Artillery;  17,  Gen. 
Washington,  Commander-in-Chief;  18,  Thomas  Nelson,  Gov.  of  Va. ;  19,  Mar- 
quis Lafayette;  20,  Baron  Steuben;  21,  Col.  Cobb,  Aid-de-Camp  to  Gen.  Wash- 
ington ;  22,  Col.  Trumbull,  Secretary  to  Gen.  Washington  ;  23.  Maj.  Gen.  Clinton, 
of  N.  Y. ;  24,  Gen.  Gist,  of  Md. ;  25,  Gen.  Wayne,  of  Pcnn. ;  26,  Gen.  Hand,  of 
Penn.,  Adjutant  General;  27,  Gen.  Peter  Muhlenberg,  of  Penn. ;  28,  Maj.  Gen. 
Knox,  Commander  of  Artillery  ;  29,  Lieut.  Col.  Huntingdon,  acting  Aid  to  Gen. 
Lincoln;  30,  Col.  Timothy  Pickering,  Quartermaster  General ;  31,  Col.  Alexander 
Hamilton,  commanding  Light  Infantry;  32,  Col.  Laurens,  ofS.  C. ;  33,  Col.  Wal- 
ter Stuart,  of  Penn.,  and  34,  Col.  Nicholas  Fish,  of  N.  Y. 

Kesignation  of  General  Washington,  Dec.  23, 1783 : 
Trumbull.  Ordered  1817,  cost  $8,000.  The  painting  on  the 
1.  of  the  jS".  door  represents  Washington  returning  his  com- 
mission to  the  President  of  Congress.  The  great  contest 
was  over.  Peace  had  been  proclaimed.  That  great  patriot 
had  withdrawn  from  the  army  at  New  York,  on  which  occa- 
sion many  of  those  who  were  thus  to  be  forever  deprived  of 


74 


ROTUNDA. 


his  leadership  shed  tears.  It  was  Dec.  23, 17S3,  in  the  State 
House  at  Annapolis,  Maryland.  The  patriot  commander  was 
surrounded  by  his  officers,  in  the  presence  of  the  Congress 
of  the  infant  Republic,  and  was  now  about  to  restore  to  Con- 
gress his  commission,  and  with  it  the  authority  with  which 
they  had  invested  him  in  the  dark  and  trying  times  of  the 
war.  He  had  completed  a  touching  address.  After  con- 
gratulating Congress  upon  the  successful  issue  of  the  con- 
flict, expressing  his  obligations  to  the  army,  and  committing 
the  future  to  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  he  closed  with 
the  words :  "  Having  now  finished  the  work  assigned  me,  I 
retire  from  the  great  theatre  of  action,  and  bidding  an  affec- 
tionate farewell  to  this  august  body,  under  whose  orders  I 
have  so  long  acted,  I  here  offer  my  commission,  and  take  my 
leave  of  all  the  employments  of  public  life."  It  may  be  men- 
tioned, as  a  coincidence,  that  the  President  of  Congress  was, 
in  1775,  the  first  aid-de-camp  to  the  illustrious  general. 

The  portraits  introduced,  commencing  on  the  observer's 
left,  are — 

I,  Thomas  Mifflin,  of  Penn.,  President  of  Congress;  2,  Charles  Thompson,  of 
Penn.;  3,  Elbridge  Gerry,  of  Mass.;  4,  Hugh  Williamson,  of  N.  C ;  5,  Samuel 
Osgood,  of  Mass.;  6,  Edward  McComb,  of  Del.;  7,  George  Partridge,  of  Mass.; 
8,  Edward  Lloyd,  of  Md. ;  9,  R.  D.  Spaight,  of  N.  C.;  10,  Benjamin  Hawkins,  of 
N.  C. ;  11,  A.  Foster,  of  N.  H. ;  12,  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Arthur  Lee,  of  Va. ; 
14,  David  Howell,  of  R.  I.;  15,  James  Monroe,  of  Va. ;  and  16,  Jacob  Reed,  of  S. 
C,  all  members  of  Congress;  17,  James  Madison,  of  Va.,  spectator;  18,  William 
Ellery,  of  R.  J. ;  19,  Jeremiah  Townley  Chase,  of  Md. ;  20,  S.  Hardy,  of  Va. ;  and 
21,  Charles  Morris,  of  Penn.,  members  of  Congress  ;  22,  General  Washington,  of 
Va. ;  23,  Cols.  Walker  and  Humphreys,  aids-de-camp;  25  and  26,  Gens  Small- 
wood  and  Williams,  and  27  and  28,  Cols.  Smith  and  Howard,  of  Md. ;  29,  Charles 
Carroll  and  two  daughters,  of  Md. ;  30,  Mrs.  Washington  and  her  three  grand- 
children ;  and  31,  Daniel  Jenifer  of  St.  Thomas,  of  Md.,  spectators. 

In  the  corresponding  panels  on  the  opposite  or  E.  side  of 
the  Rotunda,  beginning  on  the  1.  of  the  S.  door  leading  to 
the  House  of  Representatives,  are  four  paintings  of  historical 
events  connected  with  the  discovery  and  early  settlement  of 
America. 

Baptism  of  Pocahontas,  1613:  Chapman.  Ordered 
1836,  cost  $10,00*0.  The  scene  is  at  Jamestown,  in  Virginia, 
the  first  permanent  white  settlement  on  the  American  con- 
tinent. Pocahontas,  the  daughter  of  the  Indian  king  Pow- 
hatan, had  already  given  evidence  of  her  attachment  for  the 
whites,  and  had  saved  the  settlement  from  extirpation  at  the 
hands  of  her  ruthless  people.  The  Indian  princess  is  in  the 
act  of  receiving  the  sacred  rite  of  baptism.  John  Rolfe,  her 
future  husband,  stands  by  her  side.  The  relatives  of  the  prin- 
cess are  present.  Her  uncle,  with  revengeful  look,  watches 
the  scene. 

The  portraits  introduced,  commencing  on  the  observer's  1., 
are — 


ROTUNDA. 


7& 


I,  Standard  Bearer;  2,  the  Page;  3,  John  and  Ann  Laydon,  first  married  in  the 
country;  4,  Sir  Thomas  Dale;  5,  Alexander  Whitaker;  6,  Hans  Spilman;  7,  Po- 
cahontas; 8,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Forrest,  first  settlers;  9,  John  Rolfe;  10,  Sister  to  Poca- 
hontas; 11,  Nantequas,  brother  to  Pocahontas;  iz,  Opechaucanough ;  13,  Opachisco> 
uncle  to  Pocahontas;  14,  Richard  Whiffin. 

Discovery  of  the  Mississippi  River  by  De  Soto, 
May,  1541 :  Powell.  Ordered  1850,  cost  $12,000.  The  paint- 
ing is  intended  to  represent  De  Soto  and  his  party  arriv- 
ing on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  after  a  toilsome  march 
through  swamp  and  forest  from  distant  Florida.  The  paint- 
ing, however,  does  not  verify  history.  The  discoverers  had 
endured  great  privations,  and,  ragged  and  worn,  took  to  the 
river  in  canoes,  in  hopes  of  escape  from  their  sufferings.  De 
Soto  succumbed  to  the  fatigues  of  the  march,  and  was  buried 
in  the  river.  On  the  r.  will  be  seen  the  Mississippi,  filled  with 
green  islands,  and  canoes  laden  with  savages  approaching  or 
landing  on  the  banks  near  at  hand. 

The  portraits  and  prominent  characters  and  objects  repre- 
sented, commencing  on  the  observer's  L,  are — 

I,  Soldier  dressing  his  wounded  leg  ;  2,  a  young  Spanish  cavalier;  3,  a  confessor  j, 
4,  a  group  cf  standard  bearers  and  helmeted  men  ;  5,  a  cannon  being  placed  in  po- 
sition by  artillerymen;  6,  a  Moorish  servant;  7,  De  Soto  mounted;  8,  camp  chestr 
with  arms,  helmets,  and  other  accoutrements  and  implements  of  war;  9,  two  young 
Indian  maidens;  10,  Indian  chiefs  bringing  the  pipe  of  peace;  II,  old  priest  bless- 
ing the  cross;  12,  ecclesiastic  bearing  the  censer;  13,  stalwart  men  planting  the 
cross. 

The  first  engagement  for  a  picture  to  fill  this  panel  was  with 
Henry  Inman .  The  artist  however  died  before  the  completion 
of  his  work,  and  the  picture  was  abandoned. 

Landing  of  Columbus,  October  12,  1492 :  Vanderlyn. 
Ordered  1842,  cost  $10,000.  This  painting  represents  Colum- 
bus, accompanied  by  his  principal  officers  and  a  few  attend- 
ants, already  landed  on  the  Island  of  Guanahani,  one  of  the 
Bahama  Islands,  and  the  first  land  discovered .  The  successful 
discoverer  is  in  the  act  of  proclaiming  possession  in  the  name 
of  the  king  and  queen  of  Spain.  In  the  distance  groups  of 
seamen  are  giving  expression  to  their  joy ;  two  figures  near 
are  contending  for  glittering  particles  in  the  sand.  The  fleet 
at  anchor  in  the  distance.  A  peculiarly  tropical  haze  pervades 
the  atmosphere. 

The  following  are  the  principal  characters  represented, 
commencing  on  the  observer's  L  : 

i,  Alonzo  de  Ojeda ;  2,  cabin  boy  kneeling;  3,  Rodrigo  Sanchez,  inspector;  4r 
Vincent  Yanez,  standard  bearer;  5,  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  standard  bearer  j  6, 
mutineer  repentant;  7,  Rodrigo  de  Escobedo,  notary  ;  8,  Columbus;  9,  soldier  look- 
ing at  the  natives;  10,  sailor's  veneration  of  Columbus;  ir,  friar  bearing  the  cross. 

Embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims  from  Delft-Haven,  in 
Holland,  July  21,  1620,  O.  S. :  Weir.  Ordered  1836,  cost 
$10,000.    Represents  the  Puritan  fathers  about  to  brave  the 


76 


ROTUNDA. 


clangers  of  the  stormy  Atlantic  for  an  asylum  in  the  wilds  of 
America,  where  they  might  enjoy  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty. 

The  following  portraits  are  introduced,  commencing  on  the 
observer's  1. : 

I,  boy  of  Mrs.  Winslow;  2,  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Winslow;  3,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White; 
4,  boy  of  Mrs.  Winslow;  5,  Mrs.  Brewster  and  child;  6,  Elder  William  Brewster; 
7,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fuller;  8,  William  Bradford;  9,  Gov.  Carver;  10,  nurse  and 
child;  ii,  Mrs.  Carver  and  child;  12,  William  Robinson,  pastor  of  the  congrega- 
tion;'13,  Mrs.  Bradford;  14,  Captain  Reynolds;  15,  boy  of  Gov.  Carver;  16, 
Miles  Standish  and  wife  Rose. 

The  domical  ceiling,  viewed  from  the  pavement  of  the 
Rotunda  consists  of  an  inner  shell,  over  which  is  the  mas- 
sive iron  covering  of  the  Dome.  The  canopy  stands  at  a 
height  of  180  ft.  above  the  pavement,  and  measures  65J  ft. 
in  dameter,  and  21  ft.  perpendicular  height.  The  canopy  is 
ornamented  with  a  variety  of  figures  in  fresco,  combining 
allegory  and  history,  executed  by  C.  Brumidi.  The  central 
group,  which  occupies  the  apex  of  the  ceiling,  represents  a 
deification  of  Washington,  the  Father  of  American  Liberty. 
On  his  r.  is  Freedom,  and  on  his  1.  Victory.  In  the  foreground 
are  13  female  figures,  representing  the  original  States  of 
the  American  Union.  These  figures  form  a  crown  and  sup- 
port a  band,  upon  which  are  the  appropriate  words  E  Pluri- 
bus  Unnm.  The  figures  begin  with  New  Hampshire,  on  the 
1.  of  Victory,  and  follow  in  semi-circular  procession,  accord- 
ing to  their  geographical  order.  The  drapery,  decoration, 
and  coloring  are  designed  to  indicate  the  products  and  situa- 
tion of  the  States  represented.  Around  the  base  of  the  can- 
opy, which  measures  about  204  ft.,  are  6  emblematic  groups, 
designed  as  an  allegory  of  the  Revolution,  1776-'83.  These 
groups  begin  at  the  W. 

i.  The  Fall  of  Tyranny. — Represented  by  Freedom  and  an  Eagle  battling 
with  Tyranny  and  Priestcraft;  a  mailed  soldier  vainly  struggling  to  uphold  the 
ermined  robe  of  royalty.  Discord  stands  by ;  also  Anger  and  Revenge,  with  the 
incendiary  torch. 

z.  Agriculture,  towards  the  N. — Represented  by  Ceres,  with  cornucopia. 
America,  wearing  a  red  Cap  of  Liberty,  turning  over  to  Ceres  the  mastery  of  a  pair 
of  horses  attached  to  a  reaper.  Flora  is  gathering  flowers,  and  Pomona  bears  a  basket 
of  fruit. 

3.  Mechanics. — Represented  by  Vulcan,  resting  his  r.  foot  on  a  cannon,  and 
around  are  the  various  instruments  of  his  art,  with  mortars  and  cannon  balls. 

In  the  E.  is— 

4.  Commerce. — Represented  by  Mercury,  holding  a  bag  of  gold,  and  directing 
attention  to  it.  The  figure  thus  called  is  Robert  Morris,  the  financier  of  the  Revo- 
lution. Merchandise,  with  men  at  work,  and  two  sailors,  pointing  to  a  gunboat, 
complete  the  allegory. 

5.  Marine. — Representing  Neptune  in  his  car,  bearing  his  trident,  accompanied 
by  attendants,  emerging  from  the  deep.  Amphrodite,  Venus,  is  about  dropping 
into  the  foaming  waters  an  electric  cable,  which  has  been  handed  her  by  a  cherub. 

6.  Arts  and  Sciences.— Represented  by  Minerva,  the  Goddess  of  Wisdom, 


ASCENT  OF  THE  DOME. 


77 


surrounded  by  figures— Frai:klin,  the  philosopher;  Fulton,  the  inventor  of  the 
steamboat ;  and  Morse,  the  inventor  of*  the  magnetic  telegraph.  The  figures  of 
juveniles  indicate  teaching. 

These  frescoes  cover  nearly  5,000  sq.  ft.  They  may  be 
viewed  from  different  points  in  the  ascent  of  the  Dome.  As 
they  are  approached  they  increase  in  size.  Seen  from  the 
balustrade  beneath  the  canopy,  they  are  of  colossal  propor- 
tions. Sufficient  light  by  day  is  thrown  in  from  the  openings 
in  the  outer  shell  of  the  Dome.  At  night  hundreds  of  gas 
jets,  lighted  by  electricity,  illuminate  not  only  the  canopy, 
but  the  entire  interior  of  the  Dome. 

These  frescoes  were  ordered  in  1864,  and  cost  $50,000,  of 
which  $39,000  was  paid  for  compensation  of  the  artist  and  as- 
sistants, and  the  balance  for  materials. 

Ascent  of  the  Dome. — The  stairway  inside  the  lirst  door  on 
the  1.,  after  leaving  the  rotunda  on  the  N.,  leads  to  the  top 
of  the  dome.  At  the  head  of  the  first  flight  of  steps  on  the 
r.  is  the  entrance  to  the  battery  and  electric  gas-lighting  ap- 
paratus, to  which  a  visit  should  be  made.  Returning  and 
continuing  the  ascent,  an  opportunity  is  aflorded  of  studying 
the  mechanism  of  the  immense  structure  overhead.  A  small 
door  at  the  top  of  an  intricate  flight  of  steps  opens  between 
the  inner  and  outer  shells.  On  the  inside  is  a  range  of  arches, 
affording  a  view  of  the  rotunda  and  canopy.  A  short  distance 
above  a  doorway  opens  under  an  imposing  peristyle  of  36  iron 
columns.  The  next  door  opens  upon  a  balustrade  above.  The 
last  ascent  is  by  an  abrupt  flight  of  steps  over  the  inner  shell, 
which  leads  to  the  platform  immediately  beneath  the  canopy. 
This  point  affords  a  closer  view  of  Brumidi's  allegory,  a  de- 
scription of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere.  This  platform 
makes  a  fine  whispering  gallery.  Another  flight  of  steps 
leads  to  the  crowning  platform,  from  which  the  most  exten- 
sive view  of  the  city  may  be  had. 

Panoramic  View  of  the  City. — With  the  assistance  of  the 
maps  of  the  city  and  District,  the  stranger  will  be  able  to  ac- 
quaint himself  with  the  most  prominent  features  in  the  view. 
Looking  towards  the  E.,  on  the  1.  is  the  Asylum  for  the  Deaf 
and  Dumb,  and  on  the  r.,  bej^ond  the  Anacostia,  the  Asylum 
for  the  Insane.  On  the  S.  may  be  suen  the  Anacostia  uniting 
with  the  broad  current  of  the  Potomac.  On  the  point  are  the 
buildings  of  the  Arsenal,  and  7  m.  below,  on  the  opposite  shore, 
Alexandria.  Opposite  Georgetown  is  Arlington  House,  with 
Fort  Whipple  on  the  r.  In  the  W.  is  the  official  quarter  of 
the  city.  The  building  on  the  hill,  at  the  head  of  New  Jersey 
av.,  is  the  Howard  University ;  and  the  white  tower  in  the  dis- 


rH  C<i  CO  rj?  O  <D 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


79 


tance,  on  the  line  of  E.  Capitol  St.,  is  the  Soldiers'  Home. 
The  railroad  which  leaves  the  city  on  the  1ST.  is  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio — the  r,  branch  for  Baltimore,  and  the  1.  for  Point  of 
Rocks  and  the  W.  The  road  S.  of  the  Capitol  is  the  Balti- 
more and  Potomac,  also  for  the  N.  and  W.,  running  in  con- 
nection with  the  Pennsylvania  Central.  The  Tiber  Creek 
follows  the  basin  of  the  valley  on  the  JT. 

Library  of  the  United  States.— (Open  every  day,  Sundays 
excepted,  from  9  a.  m.  to  4 p.  m.  ;  during  the  sessions  of  Con- 
gress till  hour  of  adjournment.)  The  Library  of  the  United 
States  may  be  reached  from  the  Rotunda  by  the  W.  door, 
along  the  corridor  on  either  side  of  the  balustrade  around  the 
head  of  the  staircase  leading  up  from  the  main  W.  entrance. 
The  principal  door  of  the  Library  is  immediately  opposite  the 
W.  door  of  the  Rotunda. 

The  Library  Halls  occupy  the  principal  floor  of  the  entire 
W.  projection  of  the  Capitol,  consisting  of  a  connecting  cen- 
tral hall,  91J  ft.  long,  34  ft.  wide,  and  38  ft.  high,  completed 
in  1853,  with  two  wings  on  the  1ST.  and  S.,  each  95  ft.  long,  29J 
ft.  wide,  and  38  ft.  high,  finished  in  1865.  The  interior  was 
designed  by  Mr.  Walter,  Architect  of  the  Capitol,  who  com- 
pleted the  central  library,  and  the  wings  were  carried  out  by 
Mr.  Clark,  his  successor,  at  a  total  cost  of  $280,000.  The  cen- 
tral library  consists  of  12  deep  recesses,  or  alcoves,  surmount- 
ed by  2  upper  tiers  of  cases,  with  galleries  and  corridors,  all  of 
iron.  The  hall  is  lighted  by  windows  in  the  alcoves  and  by 
skylights  fitted  in  tlie  iron  frame- work  of  the  roof,  and  trans- 
mitted through  the  ceiling.  This  consists  of  iron  frame-work, 
supported  upon  massive  foliated  iron  brackets,  each  weigh- 
ing 2,000  lbs.  The  alcoves  and  shelves  are  embellished  with 
pilastered  and  paneled  fronts,  painted  a  soft  buff  color  and 
artistically  gilded.  The  book-shelves  are  also  of  iron,  and 
covered  with  leather.  The  floors  are  of  tessellated  black-and- 
white  marble.  The  wings  are  of  the  same  design  as  the  cen- 
tral hall.  The  former  have  4  tiers  of  shelves  instead  of  3.  Heat 
and  ventilation  are  supplied  from  the  Senate  and  House  ap- 
paratus, 200  ft.  distant,  on  either  side.  The  iron-work  was 
manufactured  in  New  York,  and  transported  in  pieces.  It 
is  the  only  completely  fire-proof  library  in  the  world.  The 
library  halls  afford  accommodation  for  172,000  volumes,  and 
with  the  attic  and  law  library  210,000.  The  additional  space 
required  has  been  in  part  supplied  by  temporary  wooden 
shelves  ranged  along  the  galleries. 

It  is  proposed  to  erect  a  suitable  building  in  the  angle  of 
the  E.  Park  of  the  Capitol,  to  be  specially  devoted  to  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Library  of  the  United  States.    A  special  corn- 


80 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


mission,  created  by  act  of  Mar.  3, 1S73,  now  have  this  subject 
under  consideration. 

Speaking  of  the  necessities  of  the  Library,  Mr.  Spofford,  Li- 
brarian, says  :  "  Whatever  may  be  the  present  rate  of  growth 
of  American  libraries,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  their  prospec- 
tive increase,  with  the  growing  development  and  intellectual 
enterprise  of  the  country,  will  be  in  an  accelerated  ratio  as 
compared  with  the  past.  The  Library  has  twice  doubled  with- 
in twelve  years.  In  18G0  there  were  63,000  volumes  in  the 
Library,  in  1866  there  were  100,000,  and  in  1872  there  were 
246,000.  Without  calculating  upon  specially  large  accessions, 
it  is  reasonable  to  assume  that,  by  the  ordinary  additions  to 
its  stores  from  copyrights  and  from  all  other  sources,  it  will 
reach  700,000  volumeslby  the  year  1900, 1,250,000  by  the  year 
1925, 1,750,000  by  1950,  and  2,500,000  by  1975,  or  about  a  cen- 
tury hence/' 

In  1874  the  Library  numbered  260,000  volumes  and  50,000 
pamphlets.  Of  this  aggregate  30,000  volumes  belonged  to 
the  law  library.  The  average  annual  accessions  are  10,000 
books  and  5,000  pamphlets.  The  sources  of  supply  in  the  or- 
der of  numbers  are  as  follows  :  purchase,  copyright,  (excluding 
duplicates,)  deposit  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  presenta- 
tion, and  exchange.  The  whole  number  of  copvrights  entered 
in  1873  was  15,352. 

The  largest  library  in  the  world  is  the  Bibliotlieque  Nation- 
ale,  Paris,  having  about  1,400,000  volumes.  The  second  is  the 
British  Museum  Library,  London,  with  900,000  volumes.  The 
Royal  Library,  at  Munich,  claims  to  have  800,000  volumes.  It 
may  be  generally  stated  that  there  are  sixteen  libraries  in  Eu- 
rope larger  than  the  Library  of  the  United  States.  The  lat- 
ter, numbering  260,000  volumes,  is  the  largest  in  America. 
The  second  is  the  Boston  Public  Library,  which  has  about 
200,000. 

This  national  collection  of  books  has  many  distinctive  fea- 
tures. It  is  richer  than  any  other — perhaps  than  all  others 
combined — in  books,  pamphlets,  journals,  manuscripts,  and 
maps  relating  to  the  history  and  topography  of  America.  It 
is  only  approximated  in  this  particular  by  the  library  in  the 
British  Museum  in  London.  It  is  also  well  stocked  with  the 
printed  literature,  in  various  languages,  relating  to  South, 
Central,  and  British  America,  and  the  Islands  of  the  West 
Indies.  Its  collection  of  pamphlets  illustrating  the  progress 
and  political  history  of  the  country  is  unrivaled. 

The  next  great  feature  is  the  completeness  of  its  lawr  de- 
partment, including,  as  it  does,  complete  sets,  nearly  all  in 
duplicate,  of  English  and  American  reports,  the  statute  law 
of  ail  countries,  and  the  best  editions  of  most  published  text- 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


81 


books  in  the  common  and  civil  lavv.  Every  department  of 
jurisprudence  is  represented,  and  the  collection  is  kept  up  to 
date  by  purchase  and  the  importation  of  the  freshest  works  in 
every  lield.  The  general  library  is  very  complete  in  its  peri- 
odical collections.  Full  sets  of  all  the  British  and  American 
reviews  and  magazines  are  kept  up,  and  bound  files  of  the 
leading  newspapers  of  the  country  are  here  stored  for  refer- 
ence. One  of  the  most  valuable  files  of  newspapers  is  a  full 
set  of  the  London  Gazette,  from  its  first  issue  in  1665  down 
to  date.  Only  one  other  complete  set  exists.  This  contin- 
ues the  official  organ  of  the  British  Government.  Besides  the 
valuable  collection  of  colonial  and  revolutionary  newspapers, 
the  Library  is  in  possession  of  a  complete  file  of  the  New  York 
Evening  Post,  from  its  first  issue  in  1801  to  the  present  year ; 
the  Charleston  Courier,  from  its  first  issue  in  1802  down  to 
its  demise  in  1873 ;  and  the  Savannah  Eepublican  for  the  same 
period.  Also  files  of  other  metropolitan  and  provincial  news- 
papers. No  department  of  literature,  art,  or  science  is  neg- 
lected. There  is  a  good  library  of  works  on  chess,  angling, 
cooking,  and  all  miscellaneous  topics,  while  in  the  exact 
and  applied  sciences  the  wealth  of  the  collection  is  inesti- 
mable. 

The  Library  of  the  United  States  became  the  repository  of 
the  entire  Smithsonian  library  after  the  fire  in  1866,  which 
destroyed  so  large  a  portion  of  that  building.  This  part  of 
the  collection  embraces  the  largest  assemblage  of  the  trans- 
actions of  scientific  and  learned  societies  to  be  found  in  the 
world.  Among  the  rare  works  are  two  great  folios,  written 
on  vellum,  with  numerous  illuminations  by  hand,  executed 
with  the  utmost  care  in  the  13th  century.  The  oldest  printed 
book  in  the  library  is  a  Constitution  of  Pope  Clement  V,  of 
Rome,  printed  in  1467,  by  Peter  Schoeffer,  at  Mentz. 

Among  the  most  rare  works  of  the  Force  collection  are  a 
copy  of  Eliot's  Indian  Bible ;  41  different  works  by  Increase 
and  Cotton  Mather,  printed  in  Boston  and  Cambridge,  1671- 
1735 ;  files  of  early  American  newspapers,  from  1735-1800  ; 
300  early  atlases  and  maps,  some  unpublished,  covering  the 
country  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico ;  a  large  number 
of  incunabula  or  books  printed  during  the  infancy  of  the  art, 
embracing  a  complete  series  of  imprints  by  the  most  distin- 
guished early  printers,  representing  every  year  from  1467  to 
1500,  and  a  large  number  printed  in  the  following  century; 
also  48  folio  volumes  of  historical  autographs  of  great  rarity 
and  interest,  embracing  a  collection  of  revolutionary  letters, 
chiefly  military  and  political,  covering  the  whole  period, 
from  1765  to  1787.  The  numerical  extent  of  this  collection  is 
22,520  volumes,  or,  including  pamphlets,  60,000  titles. 
6 


82 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  Library  is  also  rich  in  illustrated  works  in  fine  arts, 
architecture,  and  natural  history. 

Under  the  Rules  of  the  Library,  the  privilege  of  taking 
books  out  is  accorded  by  divers  statutes  to  the  following  per- 
sons :  The  President  of  the  United  States,  Vice  President  of 
the  United  States,  members  of  the  Senate,  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  members  of  the  Cabinet,  judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  judges  and  solicitors  of  the  Court  of 
Claims,  representatives  of  foreign  governments  residing  at 
Washington,  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  Clerk  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury,  Financial  Agent 
of  the  Library  Committee,  ex-Presidents  of  the  United  States, 
Chaplains  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  All  persons  10  years  of  age  and  up- 
wards are  permitted  to  call  for  books  to  be  used  in  the  li- 
brary hall,  and  may  obtain  the  same  by  filling  one  of  the 
blank  forms  of  tickets  found  on  the  tables  and  handing  it  to 
the  assistant  at  the  Librarian's  desk.  Books  taken  out  by 
persons  authorized  thereto  must  be  returned  in  two  weeks. 
No  maps,  manuscripts,  or  printed  books  of  especial  rarity  are 
permitted  to  be  taken  out  of  the  Library. 

In  addition  to  the  Library  of  the  United  States,  each 
House  of  Congress  has  a  documentary  collection  of  its  own, 
comprising  all  official  documents  published  under  their  au- 
thority. 


THE  CAPITOL/-— WEST  FRONT. 

A  fine  view  of  the  business  and  official  quarters  of  the  city 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


83 


may  be  had  from  the  W.  Portico,  reached  through  the  door 
in  the  centre  of  the  W.  side  of  the  main  hall.  Immediately 
below  are  the  terraces  which  form  the  W.  face  of  the  emi- 
nence upon  which  the  Capitol  stands.  Pennsylvania  av. 
diverges  from  the  r.,  and  Maryland  av.  from  the  1.  Towards 
the  W.,  between  these,  lie  the  Botanical  Garden,  with  its 
conservatories,  and  the  Mall,  from  which  rise  the  towers  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  the  square  outlines  of  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture,  and  the  unfinished  Obelisk  to  the 
memory  of  Washington,  all  surrounded  by  beautiful  gardens, 
and  the  Long  Bridge.  On  the  summit  of  the  hill  still  farther 
W.  are  the  two  domes  of  the  Observatory,  and  still  beyond 
the  Heights  of  Georgetown.  To  the  S.,  at  the  point  where 
the  two  rivers  join,  lies  the  Arsenal.  Following  the  broad 
bosom  of  the  Potomac,  at  a  distance  of  7  m.  the  shipping  and 
buildings  of  Alexandria  are  visible,  and  upon  the  river  sail- 
ing and  steam-craft.  On  the  heights  overlooking  the  oppo- 
site bank  of  the  river  is  Arlington,  famous  as  the  former 
residence  of  the  Confederate  Gen.  Lee,  and  now  the  resting 
place  of  thousands  of  soldiers  of  the  national  army.  A  little 
to  the  r.  and  rear  stands  Fort  Whipple.  Looking  towards 
the  N.,  on  the  distant  hills  may  be  seen  the  tower  of  the 
Soldiers'  Home,  and  nearer  the  Howard  University.  A  fine 
view  may  also  be  had  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  with  the  Treasury 
Department,  President's  House,  and  the  new  State,  War, 
and  Navy  Department,  visible  at  the  other  end.  At  various 
points  may  be  seen  the  other  public  buildings,  school-houses, 
and  churches,  blending  with  the  mass  of  the  city. 

Librarians  of  the  United  States. — Clerks  of  the  House  of 
Representatives :  1802-1807,  John  Beckley,  of  Ya. ;  1807- 
1815,  Patrick  Magruder,  of  Md.  Librarians :  1815-1829, 
George  Watterson,  D.  C. ;  1829-1861,  John  S.  Meehan,  N. 
Y. ;  1861-1864,  John  G.  Stephenson,  Ind. ;  1864,  Ainsworth 
R.  Spofford,  Ohio. 

History. — The  act  of  April  24,  1800,  providing  for  the  re- 
moval and  accommodation  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  authorized  the  expenditure  of  $5,000  for  the  purchase 
of  such  books  as  might  be  necessary  for  the  use  of  Congress 
at  Washington,  and  for  fitting  up  a  suitable  apartment  in 
the  Capitol  for  their  safe-keeping.  A  small  number  of  books 
was  purchased  and  forwarded  to  the  Seat  of  Government. 
The  chief  promoter  of  the  interests  of  the  Library  from  the 
beginning  was  Thomas  Jefferson.  On  Dec.  18,  1801,  Uriah 
Tracy,  of  Connecticut,  and  three  days  later  John  Randolph, 
of  Roanoke,  respectively  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, and  of  the  new  committee  appointed  on  the  Li- 
brary, made  an  important  report  to  their  respective  Houses 


84 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


on  the  subject  of  the  needs  of  the  Library  of  Congress.  The 
effect  was  beneficial.  A  few  weeks  later,  Jan.  26,  1802,  the 
act  "concerning  the  Library  for  the  use  of  both  Houses  of 
Congress"  was  passed.  Under  the  provisions  of  this  act 
all  the  books  or  libraries  previously  kept  separately  by  each 
House  were  placed  in  the  Capitol,  in  the  room  in  the  N.  wing 
occupied  by  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  during  the  last  ses- 
sion of  the  Sixth  Congress.  The  House,  from  1801  to  1805, 
occupied  the  temporary  structure  outside,  known  as  the 
"  Oven,"  south  of  the  building.  The  unexpended  balance  of 
the  first  appropriation  of  $5,000,  together  with  such  sums  as 
might  be  thereafter  appropriated,  were  to  be  expended  under 
the  direction  of  the  joint  committee.  The  early  appropria- 
tions were  very  small,  as  low  as  $450.  The  first  collection 
of  books  under  the  new  act  was  made  in  1802,  under  the 
direction  of  Albert  Gallatin,  of  Penn.,  Dr.  Samuel  Latham 
Mitchill,  of  ST.  Y.,  and  others,  and  comprised  about  3,000 
volumes. 

In  1806,  on  the  report  of  Dr.  Mitchill,  Congress  appropri- 
ated $1,000  for  the  purchase  of  books.  Since'  that  time  that 
amount  has  been  increased  from  time  to  time,  as  the  neces- 
sities of  the  Library  became  apparent  to  the  slow  appreciation 
of  Congress.  The  present  average  annual  appropriation  is 
$12,000. 

During  the  brief  occupation  of  the  city  by  the  British,  in 

1814,  the  Library  was  destroyed,  with  the  rest  of  the  interior 
of  the  Capitol.  To  repair  this  loss,  Thomas  Jefferson,  in  a 
letter  dated  at  Monticello,  Sept.  21, 1814,  addressed  to  Samuel 
H.  Smith,  tendered  the  sale  of  his  library  of  6,700  volumes 
to  Congress.  The  Senate  accepted  the  offer  at  once.  In 
the  House,  however,  there  was  considerable  debate,  but  the 
offer  was  there  also  accepted.  The  collection  contained 
many  rare  works,  gathered  by  Mr.  Jefferson  in  Europe. 
The  price  paid  by  Congress  was  $23,950. 

It  was  objected  to  Jefferson's  collection,  that  some  of  the 
volumes  were  of  an  infidel  character,  and  by  others  that  it 
contained  too  many  Bibles.  His  books  may  be  distinguished 
by  a  private  mark.  Wherever  the  printer's  signature  occurs 
at  the  bottom  of  the  page  as  a  J,  he  lias  made  a  T  before  it, 
and  when  T  occurs,  a  J  after  it.  This  makes  the  initials  of 
his  name. 

The  new  Library  was  deposited  in  the  Post-office  building, 
an  old  structure  commenced  by  Samuel  Blodgett,  in  1793,  as 
a  hotel,  and  situated  on  the  S.  side  of  the  present  Post  Office 
square.    Congress  also  held  one  session  here,  but  in  Dec, 

1815,  met  in  the  building  on  Capitol  Hill,  erected  for  its 
temporary  accommodation  by  the  citizens  of  Washington. 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


85 


The  Library,  however,  was  not  removed  till  after  the  resto- 
ration of  the  N.  wing  was  completed.  It  was  then  trans- 
ferred temporarily  to  apartments  on  the  W.  side  of  the  build- 
ing, over  the  present  offices  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court. 

In  1824  the  Library  was  removed  to  the  hall  in  the  centre 
of  the  W.  front  of  the  Capitol,  specially  designed  and  fitted 
up  for  its  accommodation.  The  same  hall,  reconstructed  of 
fire-proof  materials,  now  constitutes  the  central  library  of 
the  superb  suit  of  apartments  devoted  to  the  uses  of  the 
Library  of  the  United  States. 

In  1824  all  duties  upon  books,  maps,  and  charts  imported 
for  the  Library  were  remitted  by  act  of  Congress. 

In  1846  a  copy  of  all  books,  maps,  charts,  &c,  copyrighted 
in  the  United  States,  was  required  to  be  sent  to  the  Library 
of  Congress.  This  was  generally  disregarded,  and  was  re- 
pealed in  1859,  and  re-enacted  in  1865.  In  1867  a  penalty 
was  placed  upon  an}^  violation  of  this  law. 

In  1851  the  Library  numbered  55,000  volumes.  On  Christ- 
mas Eve  of  that  year  the  Library  took  fire  in  one  of  the 
alcoves,  from  timbers  carelessly  exposed  to  the  flues.  The 
progress  of  the  flames  was  rapid.  In  a  short  time  35,000 
volumes  were  destroyed. 

The  destruction  of  a  few  works  of  art  in  the  hall  was  irrep- 
arable. Of  these  the  following  are  mentioned  :  Stuart's  paint- 
ings of  the  first  five  Presidents  of  the  United  States;  two 
portraits  of  Columbus,  one  said  to  have  been  an  original ;  an 
original  of  Peyton  Kandolph,  President  of  the  first  Conti- 
nental Congress,  and  others  of  Boliver,  Baron  Steuben  by 
Pyne,  Baron  De  Kalb,  Cortez,  Judge  Hansom,  of  Maryland ; 
about  1,200  bronze  medals  of  the  Vattemare  Exchange,  some 
over  two  centuries  old ;  a  likeness  of  Washington  in  bronze ; 
and  busts  of  General  Taylor  by  an  Italian,  and  La  Fayette 
by  David.  The  fire,  however,  was  confined  to  the  central 
library. 

Congress,  within  the  year  ensuing,  appropriated  $157,500 
for  the  restoration  of  the  library  hall  and  the  purchase  of 
books.  In  the  meantime  one  of  the  document  rooms  and  ad- 
joining passages  was  occupied. 

In  1866  the  custody  of  the  valuable  library  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  consisting  of  40,000  volumes,  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Library. 

In  1867,  at  a  cost  of  $100,000,  Congress  purchased  the  Peter 
Force  collection  of  books,  manuscripts,  maps,  and  papers  re- 
lating to  American  history,  the  most  complete  private  collec- 
tion extant.  Mr.  Force  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1790,  and 
died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1868. 


86 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  act  of  Congress  to  revise,  consolidate,  and  amend  the 
statutes  relating  to  patents  and  copyrights,  approved  July  8, 
1870,  abolished  the  earlier  system  of  entering  in  the  clerk's 
office  of  the  district  courts,  and  established  a  general  law, 
providing  that  all  records  and  other  things  relating  to  copy- 
rights, and  required  by  law  to  be  preserved,  should  be  under 
the  control  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  (the  United  States,) 
and  kept  and  preserved  in  that  Library.  In  accordance  with 
this  the  Librarian  has  the  immediate  care  and  supervision  of 
all  matters  touching  copyrights,  under  the  general  direction 
of  the  Joint  Committee  of  Congress  on  the  Library.  The 
Librarian  makes  an  annual  report  to  Congress  of  the  number 
and  description  of  copyright  publications  for  which  entries 
have  been  made  during  the  year. 

Two  copies  of  the  best  edition  of  each  book  copyrighted  are 
required  to  be  sent  to  the  Librarian,  and  one  copy  of  each  sub- 
sequent edition.  The  term  of  copyright  is  twenty-eight  years, 
and,  under  certain  regulations,  may  be  extended  for  an  ad- 
ditional term  of  fourteen  years. 

The  Law  Branch  of  the  Library  of  the  United  States  occu- 
pies an  apartment  on  the  E.  side  of  the  basement  of  the  N". 
wing  of  the  main  Capitol  building,  used  from  1800  to  1860  by 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  immediately 
below  the  room  at  present  occupied  by  that  tribunal.  The 
law  books  of  the  Library  for  a  time  occupied  a  room  S.  of  the 
central  library,  and  in  1848  were  removed  to  an  apartment  on 
the  W.  side  of  the  basement,  near  the  Supreme  Court  room. 
In  1860,  after  the  removal  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  books 
were  deposited  in  the  present  place. 

In  February,  1816,  an  effort  was  made  to  establish  a  law 
library  at  the  Seat  of  Government  for  the  use  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States.  The  measure  failed  for  want  of 
action  by  the  House  of  Kepresentatives. 

In  1832  an  act  u  to  increase  and  improve  the  law  depart- 
ment of  the  Library  of  Congress  of  the  United  States  "  was 
the  first  official  recognition  of  this  important  subject.  The 
fine  and  newly  assigned  apartment  was  authorized  to  remain, 
however,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  Librarian  of  Con- 
gress. The  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  were  to  have  free 
access  to  the  library,  and  to  make  rules  and  regulations  for 
its  proper  custody  and  management,  but  not  in  conflict  with 
the  same  for  the  government  of  the  Library  of  Congress,  nor 
to  exclude  any  officers  or  persons  having  access  to  that  Library. 

The  sum  of  $5,000,  and  an  annual  sum  of  $1,000,  for  a  pe- 
riod of  five  years,  was  appropriated,  to  be  expended  in  law 
books,  the  purchases  to  be  made  by  the  Librarian  of  Con- 
gress, under  the  direction  of  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 


SUPREME  COURT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


87 


otates.  These  appropriations  have  since  varied  in  amounts, 
at  present  averaging  $2,000  each  year.  At  that  time  there 
were  about  2,000  law  books  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  of 
which  639  were  of  the  Jefferson  library. 

Under  a  resolution  of  Congress,  the  law  library  of  James 
L.  Petigru,  of  S.  C,  was  purchased  in  1867  for  $5,000. 

The  law  branch  of  the  Library  of  the  United  States  is  now 
the  largest  and  most  valuable  law  collection  in  the  United 
States. 

North  Wing, — Leaving  the  Kotunda  by  the  X.  door,  the 
passage  leads  into  a  small  elliptical  vestibule,  in  imitation  of 
a  Greek  temple,  containing  a  peristyle,  supported  on  an  arched 
substruction  in  the  basement.  The  capitals  of  the  pillars  are 
ornamented  with  the  leaf  and  flower  of  the  tobacco  plant.  A 
dim  light  is  admitted  through  the  cupola.  The  door  imme- 
diately on  the  1.  entering  this  space  leads  to  the  electrician's 
apartments  and  the  top  of  the  Dome.  On  the  1.  of  the  nar- 
row passage  is  the  apparatus  which  operates  the  wires  con- 
necting the  batteries  and  gas  jets.  Across  this  vestibule  is  a 
second  vestibule,  which  leads  into  the  Supreme  Court  room 
on  the  E.  Opposite  is  a  prostyle  of  Potomac  marble.  The 
door  on  this  side  opens  into  the  offices  of  the  Marshal  and 
Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.— (Open  to  visitors  every 
day,  except  Sunday.)  The  apartment  occupied  by  this  tribu- 
nal, formerly  the  Senate  Chamber,  is  semi-circular,  with  a 
rather  flat  dome,  enriched  with  square  caissons  in  stucco,  and 
circular  apertures  to  admit  light.  The  chamber  is  75  ft .  great- 
est length  or  diameter,  45  ft.  greatest  width,  and  45  ft.  high. 
On  the  E.  side  a  screen  of  Grecian  Ionic  columns  of  breccia, 
or  variegated  Potomac  marble,  with  capitals  of  white  Italian 
marble,  modeled  after  those  of  the  Temple  of  Minerva,  pol- 
ished, extends  along  the  back  of  the  range  of  seats  of  the 
Justices.  These  columns,  with  the  entablature,  support  a 
gallery.  The  seats  of  the  Justices  are  raised  several  feet 
above  the  floor,  and  are  ranged  behind  a  low  screen,  which 
answers  the  purpose  of  desks.  The  Chief  Justice  occupies 
the  centre  seat.  The  officers  of  the  court  have  desks  at  either 
end  and  at  the  foot  of  the  Justices'  platform.  The  floor  is 
beautifully  carpeted,  and  tables  and  chairs  are  placed  within 
the  bar  for  the  accommodation  of  those  having  cases  before 
the  court.  Outside  the  rail  are  seats  for  visitors.  Against 
the  W.  wall  are  a  number  of  consoles,  supporting  busts  of  the 
departed  Chief  Justices: 

John  Jay,  by  Frazee,  1831,  $400;  John  Rutledge,  1857, 


88 


SUPREME  COURT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


$800 ;  Oliver  Ellsworth,  by  Auger,  1834,  $400 ;  John  Mar- 
shall, 183G,  $500. 

The  times  for  holding  the  sessions  of  the  Supreme  Court 
have  been  subjected  to  frequent  changes  by  statute  since  1789. 
Under  the  act  of  January,  1873,  the  annual  session  com- 
mences on  the  second  Monday  of  October  in  each  year.  The 
adjournment  usually  takes  place  in  May  following.  Daily 
sessions  from  12  noon  to  4  p.  m.  The  Justices,  wearing  their 
judicial  robes,  enter  from  the  N.  door  of  the  chamber,  and 
are  formally  announced  by  the  Marshal  or  deputy. '  The  peo- 
ple in  the  room  rise  and  remain  standing  till  the  Justices  are 
seated.  The  opening  of  the  court  is  then  proclaimed  by  a 
proper  officer. 

When  the  court-room  was  occupied  by  the  Senate  the 
President's  chair  stood  in  a  niche  in  the  screen  of  columns, 
and  was  raised  on  a  platform.  In  front  and  lower  were  the 
desks  of  the  Secretary  and  Chief  Clerk.  The  entablature  of 
the  screen  supported  a  gallery,  in  front  of  which  was  another, 
following  the  circle  of  the  room,  and  supported  by  iron  col- 
umns, with  bronzed  caps,  surmounted  by  a  gilt  iron  balus- 
trade. Against  the  wall  over  the  E.  gallery  was  a  fine 
painting  of  Washington,  by  Charles  Wilson  Peale,  richly 
framed  and  draped.  The  chamber  was  chiefly  lighted  from 
the  E.,  and  the  President's  chair,  standing  on  the  line  of 
the  diameter  of  the  circle,  formed  the  centre  of  the  radiat- 
ing aisles,  between  which,  in  concentric  curves,  were  ar- 
ranged the  Senator's  desks.  There  were  accommodations 
for  64  Senators.  In  the  rear  a  railing  enclosed  the  bar  of 
the  Senate.  Outside  were  sofas  for  privileged  visitors.  The 
offices  of  the  Senate  occupied  the  rooms  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  chamber. 

Originally  there  was  an  upper  gallery  on  the  E.  side,  sup- 
ported by  an  attic  colonnade,  but  this  was  removed  in  1828 
to  admit  more  light.  It  was  then  that  the  semi-circular  gal- 
lery was  introduced.  The  approaches  to  the  chamber  and 
galleries  were  exceedingly  dark  and  gloomy.  At  night  a 
gas  chandelier  diffused  light.  On  the  W.  side  of  the  building, 
across  the  main  vestibule,  were  the  offices  of  the  Secretary  : 
of  the  Senate,  now  occupied  by  the  officers  of  the  court.  The 
two  rooms  on  the  If  .  side  were  assigned  to  the  President  and 
Vice  President — now  the  robing  rooms. 

Latrobe,  the  architect,  proposed  to  have  one  of  the  galle- 
ries supported  upon  emblematical  figures,  representing  the 
thirteen  original  States.  The  models,  by  Franzoni,  were 
completed  in  Italy  and  brought  over,  but  no  further  use  was 
made  of  them,  Congress  failing  to  appropriate  the  funds 
necessary  to  the  execution  of  the  design. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  COURT  OF  CLAIMS. 


89 


In  the  plan  of  the  city,  the  reservation  between  D  and  G 
sts.  N*.  and  4th  and  5th  sts.  W.  was  set  apart  for  the  erection 
of  a  building  for  the  uses  of  the  judicial  branch  of  the  Govern- 
ment. ^Nothing,  however,  was  done.  In  Feb.,  1801,  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  was  assigned  to  and 
assembled  in  the  basement  on  the  E.  side,  immediately  be- 
neath the  present  room,  and  now  the  Law  Library.  The 
court  was  assigned  to  its  present  accommodations  in  Dec, 
1860,  upon  the'  occupation  of  the  new  chamber  provided  for 
the  Senate.  It  is  proposed  to  erect  a  building  for  the  inde- 
pendent use  of  the  judiciary,  to  include  the  Supreme  and 
other  courts  of  the  United  States  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. The  site  under  consideration  is  the  square  recently 
added  to  the  E.  Park  of  the  Capitol  Grounds  on  the  S.,  to 
correspond  with  the  proposed  building  for  the  occupation  of 
the  Library  of  the  United  States  in  the  same  square  on  the  ~N. 
These  two  buildings  completed,  standing  respectively  SE. 
and  NE.,  and  clear  of  the  E.  facade  of  the  Capitol,  would 
add  greatly  to  the  magnificence  of  the  main  central  structure. 

Chief  Justices. — 1789,  John  Jay,  N.  Y. ;  1795,  John  Rut- 
ledge,  S.  C,  rejected;  1796,  William  Cashing,  Mass.,  de- 
clined; 1796,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  Conn.;  1800,  John  Jay,  N. 
Y. ;  1801,  John  Marshall,  Va. ;  1836,  Roger  B.  Taney,  Md. ; 
1864,  Salmon  P.  Chase,  Ohio;  1874,  Morrison  K.Waite, Ohio. 

Associate  Justices,  1874.  —  Nathan  Clifford,  Me.,  1858; 
Noah  H.  Swayne,  Ohio,  1862 ;  Samuel  F.  Miller,  Io.,  1862 ; 
David  Davis,  111.,  1862 ;  Stephen  Field,  Cal.,  1863 ;  William 
Strong,  Penn.,  1870;  Joseph  P.  Bradley,  N.  J.,  1870;  Ward 
Hunt,  N.  Y.,  1873. 

The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States,  by  the  third  ar- 
ticle of  the  Constitution,  is  vested  in  one  supreme  court 
and  in  such  inferior  courts  as  Congress  may  from  time  to 
time  ordain  and  establish.  The  judges  of  both  the  supreme 
and  inferior  courts  hold  their  offices  during  good  behavior, 
and  receive  for  their  services  compensation  which  cannot 
be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office.  The  Chief 
Justice  and  Associates  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States  are  appointed  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  ad- 
vice of  the  Senate.  The  Constitution  defines  the  judicial 
power  of  the  court,  which  is  confined  to  civil  cases  national 
in  their  character :  for  instance,  between  citizens  of  different 
States,  or  in  which  aliens  or  representatives  of  foreign  gov- 
ernments are  interested,  questions  under  treaties,  and  appel- 
late and  revisory  jurisdiction  in  certain  cases. 

The  United  States  Court  of  Claims  occupies  a  suit  of  rooms 
in  the  basement  of  the  W.  projection  of  the  central  building, 


90 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


reached  by  the  1.  corridor  after  entering  the  main  W.  door  of 
the  Capitol.  The  court  consists  of  a  Chief  Justice  and  four 
Associates.  Its  business  is  the  verification  of  claims  against 
the  U.  S.  and  brought  before  Congress  for  adjustment.  Chief 
Justice,  Charles  D.  Drake,  Mo.,  1870. 

North  or  Senate  Extension. — In  order  to  preserve  the  con- 
tinuity of  description,  after  leaving  the  Supreme  Court  room, 
in  the  1ST.  Wing,  the  visitor  to  the  Capitol  should  proceed  di- 
rectly to  the  Bronze  Door  of  the  E.  vestibule  of  the  IS".  Exten- 
sion, which  may  be  reached  by  pursuing  the  main  N*.  and  S. 
corridor,  and  at  its  terminus  turning  to  the  r.  and  then  to  the 
L,  the  last  corridor  ending  in  the  vestibule.  Just  after  leaving 
the  vestibule  of  the  Supreme  Court  the  division  between  the 
original  Capitol  and  the  Extension  will  be  observed,  the  first 
part  reached  being  the  connecting  corridor. 

The  Senate  Bronze  Door,  by  Crawford,  consists  of  a  simple 

post  and  lintel.  The  frame  over 
the  door  is  supported  by  enrich  - 
ed  brackets.  The  ornamenta- 
tion consists  of  scroll-work  and 
acanthus,  with  the  cotton-boll, 
maize,  grapes,  and  entwining 
vines.  The  upper  panel  of  each 
valve  contains  a  star,  surround- 
ed by  a  wreath  of  oak  leaves,  and 
acts  as  a  ventilator.  In  the  foot 
panel  of  each  leaf  are  figures, 
typical  of  Peace  and  War.  The 
door  is  14£  ft.  high  and  9J  ft. 
wide,  with  two  leaves,  weighs 
14,000  lbs.,  and  was  cast  by 
James  T.  Ames,  at  Chicopee, 
Mass.  The  total  cost  was  $6,- 
000  for  model  and  $50,495  for 
casting.  It  was  put  up  in  1868. 
The  remainder  of  the  door 
is  divided  into  6  panels,  in 
which,  in  alto  relievo,  are  rep- 
resented events  connected  with 
senate  bronze  door,  the  revolutionary  struggle,  the 

establishment  of  the  Government,  and  the  foundation  of  the 
Capitol.  The  panels  containing  historical  subjects,  in  chro- 
nological succession,  begin  at  the  top  of  the  left  valve  of  the 
door^  as  follows : 

I.  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Death  of  Warren,  June,  1775. 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


91 


II.  Battle  of  Monmouth,  June,  1778,  and  Rebuke  of  General  Lee,  who  meditated 
betraying  the  American  Army. 

III.  Battle  of  Yorktown,  October,  1781.    Hamilton's  Capture  of  the  Redoubt. 

IV.  Welcome  of  Washington  at  Trenton,  April,  1789,  on  his  way  to  New  York 
to  assume  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States.  This  panel  contains  por- 
traits of  the  sculptor,  his  wife,  and  three  children,  and  of  Rogers,  the  sculptor  of 
the  Main  Door. 

V.  Inauguration  of  Washington,  First  President  of  the  United  States,  in  New 
York,  April  30,  1789.  The  principal  figures  in  this  panel  are  portraits,  including 
John  Adams,  Vice  President,  on  his  right;  Chancellor  Livingstone  administers  the 
oath;  Mr.  Otis,  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  presented  the  Bible.  The  other  distinguished 
personages  represented  are  Alexander  Hamilton,  Generals  Knox  and  St.  Clair,  Roger 
Sherman,  and  Baron  Steuben. 

VI.  Laying  of  the  Corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States  at  Washing- 
ton, September  18,  1793.    The  prominent  figures  are  likenesses. 

The  order  to  Mr.  Crawford  contemplated  two  doors,  one  for 
the  E.  Portico  of  each  wing.  The  sculptor  had  proceeded  no 
further  than  to  complete  the  drawing  of  his  designs  and  the 
wrork  of  his  models  in  clay,  when  he  was  overtaken  by  death. 
The  work,  however,  was  completed  by  W.  H.  Rhinehart,  of 
Maryland,  an  assistant  in  the  studio  of  the  sculptor  at  Rome. 
The  fortunate  exaction  of  a  guaranty  from  the  European 
founder,  who  seemed  to  doubt  the  ability  of  the  nation  to 
maintain  its  credit  and  to  cope  with  the  Rebellion,  then 
going  on,  led  to  the  shipment  of  the  models  to  the  United 
States  in  1863.  They  were  somewhat  damaged  in  removal, 
but  were  restored  by  Silas  Mosman,  of  Massachusetts,  under 
whose  superintendence  they  were  cast.  The  mechanical  ex- 
ecution of  this  work  is  considered  in  every  respect  equal  to  the 
great  Door,  and  establishes  the  skill  of  American  workmen 
in  competition  with  those  of  Europe. 

Above  the  door,  resting  on  a  cap  supported  by  massive 
brackets,  are  two  reclining  female  figures,  in  American  mar- 
ble, by  Crawford,  representing  Justice  and  History.  Both 
recline  against  a  globe,  the  former  supporting  a  volume  bear- 
ing the  words  u  Justice,  Law,  and  Order,"  and  has  a  pair  of 
scales  lying  by  her  side.  The  latter  holds  a  scroll,  inscribed 
" History,  July,  1776."  On  either  side  of  the  door,  in  the 
beautiful  marble  wall,  is  a  niche,  ready  to  receive  appropriate 
statues. 

From  this  portico  the  bronze  door  enters  a  vestibule,  consist- 
ing of  a  colonnade  of  16  fluted  marble  columns,  with  capitals 
of  acanthus  and  tobacco  leaves.  The  columns  are  disposed  in 
couples,  and  equally  divided  on  either  side  with  corresponding- 
pilasters.  The  ceiling  is  composed  of  massive  blocks  of  highly- 
polished  marble,  ranged  so  as  to  form  panels,  three  of  which 
are  provided  with  stained  glass  for  the  admission  of  light. 
The  walls  are  scagliola  imitation  of  Sienna  marble,  and  are 
broken  at  suitable  intervals  into  niches,  with  bases  of  Ten- 
nessee marble.   The  floor  is  tessellated  in  white  and  blue 


92 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


marble.  The  first  door  on  the  L,  after  entering,  leads  into 
the  Official  Reporters'1  Room.  On  the  r.  is  the  Senate  Post 
Office.  At  the  W.  end  is  a  smaller  vestibule,  leading  to  the 
floor  of  the  Senate  Chamber.  The  doors  are  of  bird's-eye 
maple,  with  bronze  enrichments,  and  set  in  bronze  frames. 
The  Senate  Chamber  will  be  described  from  the  galleries. 
The  public  are  permitted  on  the  floor  of  the  Chamber  when 
the  Senate  is  not  in  session.  The  regular  hour  of  meeting 
of  the  Senate  during  the  session  is  12  noon  every  day  ex- 
cept Sunday,  and  adjourns  on  its  own  motion  :  holiday  and 
night  sessions  are  ordered  by  the  Senate.  During  the  ses- 
sion the  following  persons  only  are  by  law  entitled  to  the 
privileges  of  the  floor  of  the  Senate :  Officers  of  the  Senate  ; 
Members  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  and  their  clerks; 
PresMent  of  the  U.  S.  and  private  secretary;  heads  of  de- 
partments; Ministers  of  the  U.  S.  and  Foreign  Ministers; 
ex-Presidents  and  ex-Vice  Presidents  of  the  U.  S. ;  ex-Sen- 
ators and  Senators  elect ;  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  U.  S. ;  Governors  of  States  and  Territories ;  General  of 
the  Army ;  Admiral  of  the  Navy ;  Members  of  National 
Legislatures  of  foreign  countries ;  private  secretaries  of  Sen- 
ators, appointed  in  writing ;  and  Librarian  of  Congress. 

The  W.  door  in  the  S.  wall  of  the  main  vestibule  leads  to  the 
E.  Staircase,  ascending  to  the  corridors  and  committee  rooms 
of  the  second  floor  and  to  the  ladies'  galleries  and  retiring 
rooms.  This  magnificent  staircase  is  made  of  highly-polished 
Tennessee  marble.  The  columns  have  bronze  capitals.  The 
ascent  from  the  main  floor  is  by  a  broad  flight  of  16  steps,  which 
divide  at  the  first  landing,  the  rest  of  the  ascent  being  by  a 
double  flight  of  18  steps.  Overhead  is  a  stained-glass  skylight 
set  in  an  iron  frame,  surrounded  by  iron  casing  of  trellis  work,, 
resting  on  a  heavy  cornice  of  marble.  At  the  foot  of  the  steps, 
in  a  niche,  stands  the  semi-heroic  statue  of  Franklin,  the  phi- 
losopher, in  marble :  by  Hiram  Powers.  1862,  §10,000. 
Against  the  E.  wall,  over  the  first  landing,  is  the  painting  of 
Perry's  Victoiy  over  the  British  on  Lake  Erie  :  by  Powell,  of 
Ohio.  1873,  cost  $25,000.  The  painting  represents  the  Com- 
modore transferring  his  flag  from  the  Lawrence,  which  had 
been  disabled,  to  another  ship.  A  new  movement  compelled 
the  enemy  to  surrender.  The  best  view  of  this  painting  is 
from  the  balustrade  at  the  top  of  the  staircase.  A  double 
stairway,  which  unites  at  the  first  landing  below,  leads  be- 
neath the  arched  support  and  massive  blocking  of  the  upper 
staircase  to  the  basement.  A  beautiful  stained-glass  wind'owy 
at  the  head  of  the  second  descent,  admits  light.  At  the  foot 
of  these  steps  is  the  Senate  Refectory.   The  best  general  view 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


93 


of  the  E.  staircase  may  be  had  from  the  landing  of  the  steps 
leading  to  the  basement. 

The  W.  door  in  the  1ST.  wall  of  the  vestibule  opens  into  the 
Senate  Reception  Room,  a  brilliant  salon  about  60  ft.  long', 
with  a  vaulted  ceiling  divided  into  two  arches,  that  on  the  if. 
being  groined,  and  is  divided  into  four  sections,  in  which  are 
allegorical  figures  in  fresco:  IS".,  Liberty;  S.,  Plenty;  W., 
War;  E.,  Peace.  The  S.  half  of  the  ceiling  consists  of  a  cir- 
cular arch,  broken  by  deep  caissons,  arranged  in  concentric 
circles.  The  fresco  in  the  centre  represents  youthful  figures 
in  a  vignette  of  clouds.  Outside  the  circle  are  allegorical  fig- 
ures in  fresco  :  NTS.',  Prudence;  SE.,  Justice;  SW.,  Temper- 
ance; NW.,  Strength.  All  these  frescoes  were  executed  by 
Brumidi,  in  1856.  The  ceiling  is  heavily  gilded  throughout, 
and  from  it  is  suspended  a  fine  chandelier.  The  walls  are 
finished  in  tint,  and  enriched  with  stucco  and  gilt.  They  are 
divided  into  five  panels,  with  medallion  centres  for  portraits 
of  illustrious  citizens.  Each  medallion  is  surrounded  by 
wreaths,  and  is  surmounted  by  an  eagle.  The  base  of  the 
walls  is  scagliola,  in  imitation  of  Potomac  and  Tennessee 
marbles.  Under  the  arch  in  the  S.  wall  is  a  well-executed 
centre-piece  in  oil,  by  Brumidi,  representing  Washington  in 
consultation  with  Jefferson,  his  Secretary  of  State,  and  Ham- 
ilton, Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  On  either  side  is  a  medal- 
lion yet  unfilled.  In  the  N.  wall  of  this  magnificent  apart- 
ment, between  the  windows,  is  a  mirror.  The  floor  is  of 
encaustic  tiles,  finely  laid,  and  with  a  beautifully-wrought 
star  as  a  centre-piece.  The  room  is  furnished  in  rosewood, 
with  damask  and  lace  curtains.  In  winter  the  floor  is  richly 
carpeted. 

On  the  E.  a  door  opens  into  the  Senate  Post  Office,  ele- 
gantly fitted  with  cases  and  other  conveniences  for  the  recep- 
tion and  distribution  of  the  Senate  mails.  This  room  was 
originally  intended  for  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  and  was 
decorated  with  that  view.  The  vaulted  ceiling  is  embellished 
with  frescoes  by  Brumidi,  the  principal  pieces  representing 
History,  Geography,  Physics,  and  the  Telegraph.  Three 
allegorical  figures  support  a  tasteful  centre-piece,  from  which 
drops  a  chandelier.  The  walls  are  finished  in  oil  and  gilt. 
Adjoining,  on  the  N".,  is  the  Room  of  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  of 
the  Senate,  On  the  walls  under  the  arches  are  four  allegorical 
designs  in  basso  relievo  :  that  on  the  E.  representing  Dissolu- 
tion or  Secession,  illustrated  in  the  breaking  of  the  fasces  or 
bundle  of  rods,  while  on  the  one  side  lies  cotton,  and  on  the 
other  corn,  the  rival  products  of  the  opposing  sections  of  the 
country.  On  the  S.  is  the  same  figure  as  War,  with  the  en- 
gines of  strife.    On  the  W.  the  bundle  of  rods  are  again 


94 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


united,  with  the  motto  E  Pluribus  Utmm  and  eagle.  On  the 
X.  the  implements  of  war  are  being*  destroyed  and  exchanged 
for  peace.  The  centre-piece  of  the  ceiling  represents  Re- 
construction. The  W.  door  of  the  reception-room  opens  into 
the  vestibule  of  the  Senate  lobby.  On  the  1.,  descending 
to  the  basement,  is  a  private  staircase.,  with  a  bronze  railing, 
formed  of  entwining  vines  and  foliage,  relieved  with  eagles, 
deer,  and  cupids.  A  similar  staircase  occupies  a  correspond- 
ing place  on  the  W.  side  of  the  lobby.  These,  including  two 
connecting  with  the  lobby  of  the  Hall  of  the  Representatives 
in  the  S.  Extension  cost  nearly  $22,500.  They  are  elaborate 
and  artistic  specimens  of  bronze-work,  and  in  a  part  of  the 
building  too  dark  to  enable  their  merits  to  be  fully  appre- 
ciated. They  were  manufactured  by  Archer,  Warner  & 
Miskey,  of  Philadelphia. 

During  the  sessions  of  the  Senate  admission  to  the  Senate 
lobby  can  only  be  obtained  through  a  Senator.  This,  how- 
ever, is  not  in  strict  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  body. 
When  the  Senate  is  not  in  session  the  lobby  is  open  to  the 
public.  The  lobby  is  a  vaulted  passage,  with  gilt  panels  and 
cornice.  A  chandelier  makes  up  the  deficiency  of  daylight. 
On  the  1.  are  two  doors,  leading  to  the  floor  of  the  Senate 
Chamber.  The  first  door  on  the  r.  opens  into  the  room  as- 
signed to  the  President  of  the  Senate,  generally  known  as 
the  Vice  President's  Room,  It  is  a  well-furnished  apartment, 
with  plain  stuccoed  ceilings  and  tinted  walls.  In  this  room 
is  the  original  of  Rembrandt  PeaWs  painting  of  Washington, 
purchased  by  the  Senate.  Permission  to  enter  may  be  ob- 
tained from  the  President  of  the  Senate.  When  not  in  use, 
visitors  may  be  admitted  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Ser- 
geant-at-Arms  or  one  of  the  doorkeepers. 

The  second  door  on  the  r.  of  the  lobby  leads  through  a  small 
passage  or  vestibule  into  the  Marble  or  Senate  Retiring  Room. 
This  elegant  apartment  is3S  ft.  long,  21 J  ft.  wide,  and  19 J  ft. 
high.  The  ceiling  rests  upon  4  Corinthian  columns  of  Italian 
marble,  and  consists  of  massive  polished  blocks  of  white  mar- 
ble, forming  deep  panels.  The  walls  throughout  are  of  highly- 
polished  Tennessee  marble.  In  the  panels  of  the  walls  are 
large  plate-glass  mirrors.  Those  at  the  ends  produce  a  striking 
effect.  In  the  E.  and  W.  walls  are  niches.  Two  of  these 
contain  heads  of  Indian  chiefs,  executed  in  marble.  The  floors 
are  of  encaustic  tiles.  The  room  is  handsomely  furnished, 
and,  without  question,  is  the  finest  apartment  of  the  kind  in 
the  world.  There  is  a  fine  view  of  the  N.  portions  of  the  city 
from  the  windows.  In  front  is  X.  Capitol  st.,  and  the  diverg- 
ent avs.  are  Delaware,  inclining  towards  the  E.,  and  New 
Jersey,  towards  the  W. 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


95 


Leaving  the  room  by  the  W.  door,  we  again  enter  the  Sen- 
ate lobby.  Passing  out  of  this  into  the  vestibule,  on  the  1.  is 
the  W.  private  staircase  to  the  basement,  the  same  as  the  one 
already  described  at  the  E.  end  of  the  lobby.  On  the  r.  is  the 
President's  Room,  assigned  to  the  nse  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  on  his  visits  to  the  Capitol.  This  room  is  rarely 
used  except  on  the  last  daj^s  of  the  session  of  Congress,  when 
the  President,  with  his  secretaries  and  Cabinet  ministers,  as- 
semble there  to  expedite  the  business  of  legislation,  the  Pres- 
ident signing  such  bills  passed  by  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  as  meet  his  approval. 

The  walls  and  ceiling  of  this  room  are  richly  and  appropri- 
ately decorated.  On  the  S.  wall,  under  the  arch  of  the  ceil- 
ing, is  a  portrait  of  Washington — a  copy  from  Rembrandt 
Peale's — with  a  reclining  female  figure  on  either  side  :  that  on 
the  r.  representing  Victory,  who  holds  a  shield,  bearing  the 
inscription,  Boston,  Trenton,  Princeton,  Monmouth,  and 
Yorktown.  The  figure  on  the  1.  Peace,  with  a  laurel  wreath. 
On  the  four  walls  are  medallion  portraits  of  Washington's 
first  Cabinet:  S.,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Secretary  of  State;  E.t 
Henry  Knox,  Secretaiy  of  War,  and  Alexander  Hamilton, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury ;  W.,  Edmund  Randolph,  Attorney 
General,  and  S.  Osgood,  Postmaster  General.  Under  the 
cornice  are  a  nunber  of  small  copper-colored  medallions,  rep- 
resenting the  coats  of  arms  of  the  States.  The  rest  of  the 
walls  are  artistically  decorated  in  arabesques.  Overhead  are 
four  corner-pieces  in  fresco :  the  first  of  Columbus,  with  a 
globe  and  early  instruments  of  navigation,  representing  Dis- 
covery ;  likeness  from  a  portrait  in  Mexico.  Diagonally  oppo- 
site, Americas  Vespuccius,  with  charts  and  telescope,  Explo- 
ration, from  a  painting  in  Florence.  William  Brewster,  with 
an  open  Bible,  representing  Religion ;  and  diagonally  opposite, 
Benjamin  Franklin,  with  manuscript  and  printing-press,  or 
History.  Four  medallion  pieces  between  these  represent 
Religion,  Liberty,  Legislation,  and  Executive.  The  medal- 
lion from  which  the  chandelier  is  suspended  is  enriched  with 
three  inf  an  t  figures,  supporting  an  American  flag.  The  ceilings 
are  further  embellished.  The  entire  decoration  is  bj^Brumidi. 
The  room  is  the  most  richly  decorated  in  the  United  States. 
The  floors  are  beautifully  tiled.  There  are  three  large  mir- 
rors in  the  Avails.  In  winter  the  room  is  richly  carpeted  and 
furnished. 

At  the  end  of  the  corridor  continuing  W.  from  the  lobby  is 
a  screw  elevator,  beautifully  designed  and  luxuriously  furnish- 
ed, for  the  use  of  Senators.  It  runs  from  the  basement  to  the 
corridors  of  the  second  floor,  and  is  fitted  up  with  a  double 
engine :  cost  $10,000.   Turning  to  the  V.,  after  leaving  the 


96 


SENATE  EXTENSION. 


W.  vestibule  of  the  corridor,  the  rooms  on  the  r.  are  occupied 
by  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  and  the  various  clerks  of  the 
body. 

On  the  same  side  is  the  W.  Staircase,  in  white  marble. 
The  design  is  the  same  as  the  E.  one.  already  described,  and 
leads  directly  to  the  gentlemen's  and  reporters'  galleries. 
The  view  of  this  staircase,  looking  upwards  from  the  first 
landing  of  the  steps  leading  to  the  basement,  is  supremely 
beautiful.  The  highly-polished  white-marble  blockings,  en- 
tablatures, steps,  balustrades,  and  columns,  With  their  exquis- 
itety-wrought  capitals,  of  the  same  material,  strike  the  eye 
with  the  magnificence  of  its  architectural  design  and  execu- 
tion. The  light  thrown  in  from  above  adds  to  the  charm  of 
the  scene  which  greets  the  vision.  The  sombre  hue  of  the 
Tennessee  marble  employed  in  the  E.  staircase,  though  pre- 
senting a  richer  appearance,  does  not  effectively  bring  out 
the  beauties  of  workmanship  bestowed  upon  these  striking 
features  of  the  interior  fitting  of  the  Capitol  Extensions. 

Opposite  the  foot  of  the  staircase,  in  a  niche,  on  the  main 
floor,  is  the  statue  of  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  which  signed  and  promulgated  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  1776.  The  statue  is  semi-heroic ;  exe- 
cuted in  1860,  in  marble,  by  Horatio  Stone ;  cost  $5,500. 

At  the  head  of  the  first  flight  of  steps  against  the  W.  wall 
is  the  Storming  of  Chapultepec,  by  Walker,  N.  Y.  Ordered 
in  1861,  cost  $6,000.  This  painting  was  originally  intended 
ior  the  room  of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs.  It  rep- 
resents the  storming  of  the  castle  of  Chapultepec,  Sept.  13, 
1847,  by  the  American  army,  under  Gen.  Scott.  The  castle, 
one  of  the  defenses  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  crowned  an  emi- 
nence 900  ft.  high,  and  was  taken  by  means  of  scaling-lad- 
ders. The  particular  moment  of  the  conflict  is  the  consulta- 
tion between  Gen.  Quitman  and  several  of  the  officers  of  the 
advance  division.  The  batteries  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  were 
taken,  and  the  approach  to  the  city  by  the  aqueduct  lay  open. 
The  hill-side  is  already  occupied  by  the  United  States  rifles. 
Oen.  Quitman,  mounted,  appears  on  the  1.  of  the  painting. 
-  Gen.  Shields  is  without  his  coat,  and  wounded.  Near  at  hand 
are  Lieuts.  Wilcox  and  Towers,  of  the  engineers.  On  the  h 
stands  a  section  of  Drum's  battery.  In  the  rear,  advancing 
to  the  support  of  Casey's  troops,  are  the  Pennsylvania,  New 
York,  and  South  Carolina  volunteers,  bearing  their  State 
-colors,  and  commanded  by  Geary,  Baxter,  and  Gladden. 
Xicontenca,  the  Mexican  commander,  is  killed.  Gen.  Per- 
sifor  F.  Smith,  with  the  rifles,  confronts  the  enemy's  breast- 
works, and  points  to  the  retreating  Mexicans,  who  are  fleeing 
by  the  aqueduct.    The  filling  of  the  picture  represents  offi- 


THE  GALLERIES. 


97 


cers  hurrying  to  and  fro,  a  few  Mexican  soldiers  surrendering, 
and  wounded  and  slain  strewn  around.  An  aloe  is  charac- 
teristic of  the  vegetation  of  the  country.  The  artist  was 
pursuing  his  profession  in  Mexico  when  the  war  broke  out, 
but  escaped  to  the  American  lines,  and  joined  the  army  as  an 
interpreter,  returning  in  1848  to  the  United  States. 

The  S.  corridor  corresponds  with  the  lobby  on  the  !N*. 
side  of  the  Chamber,  and  is  intersected  by  the  connecting 
range  between  the  Senate  Extension  and  the  main  building. 
In  this  corridor,  opposite  the  S.  entrance  to  the  Senate  Cham- 
ber, stands  an  old  clock,  long  in  use  by  the  body,  but  with 
no  special  historic  associations.  The  deep  windows  on  the 
N.  side  of  the  corridor,  opening  into  the  Senate  cloak  rooms, 
are  arranged  for  statuary.  In  the  recess  of  the  E.  one  of 
this  line  stands  a  bust  of  Chief  Justice  R.  B.  Taney,  of  Md., 
1836-1864,  by  Stone.  With  the  exception  of  the  E.  vestibule, 
which  is  marble,  the  floors  throughout  are  paved  with  en- 
caustic tile  of  elegant  design. 

The  Galleries. — The  second  floor  of  the  Senate  Extension  is 
occupied  by  corridors,  the  inner  sides  of  which  are  pierced 
with  12  doors,  leading  into  the  Senate  Galleries,  and  the 
outer  sides  bounded  on  the  E.  and  W.  by  committee  rooms, 
and  the  N*.  by  retiring  rooms  for  ladies  in  the  E.  end,  and 
representatives  of  the  press  in  the  W.  On  the  S.  is  the  con- 
necting range,  occupied  by  the  Senate  doeument  room.  On 
either  side  of  this  are  windows,  which  look  out  upon  the 
main  building.  These  corridors  are  reached  by  the  E.  and 
W.  staircases,  already  described.  The  walls  are  of  a  simple 
tint,  with  variations  of  stucco.  The  ceilings  are  vaulted, 
and  are  enlivened  with  stucco  work  of  various  designs,  blended 
with  symbolic  figures.  Over  the  main  E.  vestibule  is  a  spa- 
cious hall,  surmounted  by  a  beautiful  arch,. in  the  centre  of 
which  is  a  skylight.  Adjoining  this,  and  over  the  Senate 
reception  room,  in  the  NE.  part  of  the  Extension,  is  another 
hail  of  similar  design.  Both  lead  into  the  ladies'  galleries. 
The  second  also  opens  into  the  ladies'  retiring  room — a  hand- 
somely-furnished apartment,  fitted  up  with  two  Tennessee 
marble  mantels,  with  mirrors  and  every  convenience.  Like  the 
first  floor,  the  second  is  paved  with  encaustic  tiles  throughout. 

With  this  preliminary  knowledge  of  the  varied  attractions 
in  art  and  architecture  of  the  N.  Extension  of  the  Capitol, 
before  visiting  the  basement  the  visitor  should  step  into  the 
gallery,  and  at  his  leisure  study  the  wonders  and  beauties  of 
the  Hall  of  the  Senators.  The  accompanying  diagram  of 
desks  will  enable  him,  during  the  session  of  the  body,  to 
place  any  of  the  Senators. 


mills  statue  Of  jackson.    (See  page  34)  (98). 


SENATE  CHAMBER. 


99 


Hall  of  the  Senators,  or  Senate  Chamber.— This  magnificent 
apartment  occupies  the  centre  of  the  principal  floor  of  the  IS*. 
Extension.  It  has  an  entrance  for  Senators  from  corridors 
on  the  E S.,  and  W.,  and  two  from  the  lobby  on  the  ST.  The 
occupation  of  this  Chamber,  devoted  to  the  deliberations  of 
the  highest  branch  of  the  legislative  arm  of  the  Government, 
took  place  on  Jan.  4,  1859.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  parallelo- 
gram of  the  following  dimensions  :  Length,  113J  ft. ;  width, 
80J  ft. ;  height,  36  ft. ;  superficial  area  of  floor,  9,136  sq.  ft. ; 
cubic  contends,  328,536  cub.  ft.  The  dimensions  of  the  floor 
of  the  Chamber,  exclusive  of  the  cloak  rooms  and  lobby,  are 
83  ft.  long  and  51  ft.  wide.  On  the  E.,  W.,  and  S.  sides  of 
the  Chamber  are  the  cloak  rooms  of  Senators,  and  on  the  1ST. 
the  Senate  lobb}^.  Over  these  and  around  the  Chamber  are 
the  galleries,  the  seats  rising  and  receding  in  tiers,  till 
brought  to  a  level  with  the  corridors  of  the  second  floor, 
which  are  reached  by  two  marble  staircases.  The  portion 
of  the  N".  Gallery  over  the  back  of  the  chair  of  the  President 
of  the  Senate  is  devoted  to  reporters  of  the  press,  local  and 
general,  being  provided  with  about  40  desks,  and  seats  for 
as  many  more.  Directly  opposite  the  reporters,  in  the  S. 
Gallery,  a  number  of  seats  are  set  apart  for  the  diplomatic 
representatives.  The  galleries,  from  the  reporters'  to  the 
diplomatic,  on  the  S.  side,  are  devoted  exclusively  to  ladies, 
and  gentlemen  accompanying  them ;  a  portion  for  the  exclu-  j 
sive  use  of  the  families  of  Senators.  The  corresponding 
galleries  on  the  W.  are  for  gentlemen.  The  galleries  wifi 
seat  1,200  persons.  In  the  rear  of  the  S.,  E.,  and  W.  Gal- 
leries are  the  communicating  corridors.  At  the  E.  end  of 
the  N.  corridor  is  the  ladies'*  retiring  room — a  luxurious 
apartment,  complete  in  all  its  appointments,  communicat- 
ing with  the  ladies'  galleries,  and  attended  by  a  matron  em- 
ployed by  the  Senate.  In  the  rear  of  the  reporters'  gallery 
is  the  reporters'  hat  and  retiring  room  and  telegraph  office. 
This  is  reached  through  a  door  connecting  with  the  W.  cor- 
ridor. These  corridors  form  the  second  floor  of  the  ISP.  wing. 
The  entrances  to  the  galleries,  during  the  sessions  of  Con- 
gress, are  guarded  by  doorkeepers,  whose  duty  it  is  to  seat 
the  people  and  to  preserve  order. 

On  iM  floor  of  the  Chamber  are  seats  for  74  Senators.  The 
aisles  diverge  from  the  President's  "  desk"  like  radii,  from  a 
centre.  The  desks  are  arranged  in  concentric  semi-circles 
facing  the  N.  The  desks  are  made  of  the  finest  quality  of 
mahogany,  and  the  majority  were  in  use  in  the  old  Senate 
Chamber.    These  were  made  a  half  century  ago. 

The  President's  desk  occupies  a  raised  platform  or  dais. 


100 


BASEMENT. 


At  his  back  is  a  deep  niche,  and  in  front  a  broad  desk,  upon 
which  lies  the  gavel  when  the  body  is  in  session.  Immedi- 
ately below,  on  either  side,  are  the  seats  of  the  Sergeant-at- 
Arms  r.,  and  Doorkeeper  1.  At  the  desk  in  front,  com- 
mencing on  the  1.,  are  the  seats  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate, 
Legislative  Clerk,  Chief  Clerk,  and  Minute  Clerk,  in  the  order 
given.  The  two  seats  on  the  floor  in  front  and  at  either  end 
are  for  the  official  reporters.  These  desks  are  of  mahogany, 
in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  furniture  of  the  Hall. 

The  floor  is  raised  about  3  in.  for  each  receding  semi-circle 
of  desks,  and  is  pierced  by  numerous  double  ventilators,  reg- 
ulated with  the  feet,  under  each  Senator's  desk.  These  ven- 
tilators are  fed  from  an  air-chamber  or  reservoir  beneath  the 
floor,  and  supplied  by  fans  and  steam-coils  in  the  basement 
with  moistened  air  tempered  from  68°  to  70°  winter,  and  from 
8°  to  10°  below  the  outside  air  in  summer,  and  regulated  by 
thermometers  and  hygrometers  in  different  parts  of  the 
chamber ;  these  are  examined  at  regular  and  brief  intervals 
by  the  chief  of  the  ventilating  department.  The  contam- 
inated air  passes  through  the  trellis  work  of  the  outer  range 
of  panels  in  the  ceiling  and  through  spaces  provided  in  the 
centre  panels.  A  current  of  air  from  the  ventilators  below 
to  those  above  is  constantly  passing  through  the  Chamber. 
(See  Ventilating  Department,) 

The  ceiling  is  a  splendid  specimen  of  taste  and  skill.  It 
consists  of  immense  cast-iron  girders  and  transverse  pieces, 
forming  deep  panels,  21  of  which  are  glazed,  each  with  a 
centre-piece  symbolic  of  the  Union,  the  Army,  and  Navy, 
Progress,  and  the  Mechanical  Arts.  In  addition  to  these, 
there  is  an  outer  row  of  24  panels,  with  trellised  centre  for 
ventilation,  and  outside  of  all  a  row  of  deep  caissons  and 
circles,  with  a  star  in  each.  The  entire  frame  rests  on  a 
heavy  iron  cornice.  The  iron  work  throughout  is  bronzed, 
with  gilt  decorations.  The  walls  are  richly  painted,  those 
supporting  the  galleries  being  laid  oif  in  panels.  The  walls 
back  of  the  galleries  are  pierced  by  doors  on  each  side.  The 
doors  are  of  bird's-eye  maple,  elaborately  finished  with  "foli- 
ated bronze  ornaments.  Niches  for  statuary  are  also  sunk 
in  the  walls.  The  iron  work  was  done  by  Janes,  Beebe  &  Co. 

The  hall  by  day  is  lighted  through  the  paneled  ceiling  by 
means  of  the  skylight  in  the  roof.  At  night  innumerable 
jets  ranged  above  the  ceiling  around  the  glass  panels,  and 
supplied  with  gas  and  ignited  by  electricity,  diffuse  a  soft 
light  throughout  the  Chamber. 

Basement.— The  basement  of  the  Senate  Extension  is  reach- 
ed by  the  steps  beneath  the  E.  and  W.  staircase.   There  are 


COMMITTEE  ROOMS. 


101 


two  entrances  from  the  outside,  on  the  E.  and  N.,  and  a  cor- 
ridor leading  the  entire  length  of  the  building  and  S., 
with  entrances  at  either  end.  The  basement  entrance  has  a 
double  approach  consisting  of  a  vaulted  carriageway  and 
massive  arcaded  passage  for  pedestrians,  both  beneath  the  E. 
Portico.  The  door  opens  into  a  vestibule,  in  which  are  eight 
immense  marble  piers,  four  on  each  side,  with  corresponding 
pilasters.  These  piers  support  the  colonnade  of  the  main 
vestibule,  and  afford,  perhaps,  the  most  striking  example  of 
the  durability  and  strength  of  the  edifice.  Under  the  arches 
of  the  ceiling  is  rich  and  appropriate  decoration.  The  walls 
are  of  scagliola.  A  colossal  bust  of  Washington,  by  Beattie, 
is  here.  It  is  not  the  property  of  the  Government.  At  the 
W.  end  of  this  vestibule  are  two  doors,  the  one  on  the  N\ 
leading  into  a  broad  corridor,  and  on  the  S.  to  the  basement 
foot  of  the  E.  staircase,  also  to  the  Senate  Eefectory,  and  the 
small  door  on  L  to  the  folding  rooms  and  vaults  in  the  sub- 
basement.  The  corridors  of  the  basement  present  an  inter- 
esting exhibition  of  the  decorative  art.  The  vaulted  ceilings 
throughout  are  in  distemper,  and  all  below  the  spring  of  the 
arches  in  oil.  The  walls  are  paneled  in  the  style  of  the  15th 
century,  as  employed  in  the  Vatican  at  Rome,  with  centre 
medallions  of  illustrious  Americans.  The  name  of  the  per- 
son is  also  given.  The  ceilings  are  in  the  same  style,  with 
introductions  of  modern  inventions.  The  decorations  of  the 
pilasters  of  all  the  corridors  are  recollections  of  the  loggia  of 
Raphael  in  the  Vatican,  with  additions  from  the  natural 
history  of  America.  The  birds,  animals,  and  reptiles  are 
studies  from  the  collection  in  the  Museum  in  the  Smithsonian 
Institution.  They  were  drawn  by  Brumidi,  and  painted  by 
Leslie.  The  decoration  of  the  basement  commenced  in  1855. 
The  medallions  and  finer  parts  of  the  decoration  are  by  Bru- 
midi, while  the  details  are  the  workmanship  of  others.  Op- 
posite the  E.  end  of  the  N.  corridor  is  a  fine  fresco  of  Robert 
Fulton,  the  first  to  apply  steam  to  the  purposes  of  navigation. 
The  likeness  is  from  a  portrait  painted  by  Fulton  himself,  and 
now  in  the  office  of  the  Commissioner  of  Patents.  The  ceil- 
ing of  the  N.  end  of  the  W.  corridor  is  embellished  with  the 
12  signs  of  the  Zodiac.  There  are  also  several  beautifully- 
finished  landscapes,  representing  Day  and  Night. 

Committee  Eooms, — The  finest  apartments  for  the  uses  of 
the  committees  of  the  Senate  are  in  the  basement.  They  are 
not  generally  open  to  the  public,  though,  when  not  officially 
occupied,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  getting  a  view  of  them, 
through  a  Senator,  the  Sergeant-at-Arms,  or  clerk  of  the 
committee.  A  rap  at  the  door  is  frequently  sufficient.  Dur- 


102 


COMMITTEE  ROOMS. 


ing  the  adjournment,  or  a  recess  of  the  Senate,  the  Sergeant- 
at-Arms,  whose  office  is  in  the  NE .  corner  of  the  building, 
main  floor,  and  who  has  possession  of  the  keys,  will  afford 
visitors  an  opportunity  to  see  these  rooms.  The  most  inter- 
esting to  visitors  are  the — 

Room  of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs — W.  side  of  W. 
corridor,  N.  of  W,  staircase ;  name  over  the  door.  Ceilings 
frescoed  with  victors'  wreaths,  shields,  and  other  emblems  of 
war.  Panels  of  walls  and  pilasters  represent  arms  and  armor 
of  different  periods,  nations,  and  races,  ancient  and  modern. 
The  pilasters  were  painted  by  Leslie.  The  sword  across  the 
shield  in  the  centre  pilaster  is  a  copy  of  the  sword  of  Wash- 
ington. On  the  W.  wall  is  a  medallion  head  of  Liberty,  sur- 
rounded by  Hags  and  weapons  of  war.  Under  the  spring  of 
the  arches  are  5  historic  subjects,  in  fresco,  by  Brumidi :  1ST., 
Boston  Massacre,  1770.  S.,  Battle  of  Lexington,  1775.  X., 
Death  of  Wooster,  during  the  British  invasion  of  Connecti- 
cut, 1777.  S.,  Washington  at  Valley  Forge,  1778.  The  three 
prominent  figures  in  the  foreground  are  Washington,  with 
Lafayette  on  his  1.  and  Gen.  Green  on  r.  E.,  Storming  of 
Stony  Point  by  Anthony  Wayne,  1779.  Wayne,  wounded, 
is  being  carried  into  the  fort. 

Room  of  the  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs,  adjoining  the 
above  on  the  N.,  name  over  the  door.  The  general  design  of 
the  decorations  is  Pompeian.  The  principal  features  of  the 
ceilings  are  fresco  representations  of  marine  gods  and  god- 
desses and  the  figure  of  an  attractive  Indian  female.  Under 
the  spring  of  the  arches  are  representations  of  ancient  porti- 
cos with  antique  vessels.  The  walls,  painted  in  oil,  are  divided 
into  nine  panels,  with  blue  background  and  figures  represent- 
ing the  attributes  of  the  navy  as  centre-pieces ;  the  entire 
room  executed  by  Brumidi.  The  pilasters  are  scagliola,  by 
French  artists. 

The  Room  of  the  Indian  Committee,  on  the  E.  side,  at  the  S. 
end  of  the  same  corridor,  and  originally  intended  for  the  use 
of  the  Committee  on  Agriculture,  is  decorated  with  American 
vines  and  fruits.  The  foliage  is  specially  well  executed.  The 
ceiling  is  distemper  and  the  walls  oil;  executed  by  Castens, 
a  German.  At  the  E.  end  of  the  N.  corridor,  on  the  1.,  is  the 
Room  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations.  On  the  ceiling, 
in  distemper,  are  four  well-executed  eagles,  and  under  the 
arches,  in  oil,  four  medallions,  containing  profiles  of  chairmen 
of  the  committee :  Clay  jS".,  Allen  S.,  Cameron  E.,  Sumner  W. 
The  medallions  are  by  Brumidi,  and  the  rest  of  the  room  by 
Castens.  The  Judiciary  Committee  Room,  on  the  same  corridor, 
and  that  on  the  Library,  are  also  beautifully  finished.  Under 
the  arches  of  the  basement,  connecting  range,  are  medallions 


OFFICIAL  TELEGRAPH. 


103 


of  Patrick  Henry,  Jefferson,  and  Madison,  E.  side ;  and  Han- 
cock, J.  Q.  Adams,  and  Henry  Laurens,  W.  side. 

All  the  committee  rooms  in  this  Extension  are  richly  fur- 
nished. The  name  of  the  committee  is  on  or  over  the  door 
of  each.  The  inner  rooms  are  devoted  to  the  storage  of  pub- 
lic documents.  At  the  W.  end  of  N.  corridor  is  the  elevator. 

Heating  and  Ventilating.— The  Senate  heating  and  venti- 
lating apparatus  occupies  a  number  of  vaults  in  the  sub-base- 
ment of  the  SW.  portion  of  the  Senate  Extension.  It  is  always 
open  to  visitors,  and  may  be  reached  through  the  first  door  in 
the  N.  wall  of  the  passage  leading  W.,  at  the  basement  foot 
of  the  W.  staircase,  S.  side.  There  are  4  fans  :  2  for  air  and 
2  exhaust ;  4  boilers,  3  engines,  2  steam-pnmps,  1  for  attic 
tank  and  1  for  boilers;  18  miles  of  steam-pipes  in  the  entire 
Extension  ;  1  vaporizer,  2  descending  shafts  from  the  loft  of 
the  Senate  Chamber,  and  1  ascending  shaft  into  the  open  air, 
the  outlet  at  the  base  of  the  Dome.  The  principal  air-shaft 
enters  from  the  glacis  of  the  first  terrace  in  the  W.  Park,  220 
ft.  from  the  building,  the  air  being  drawn  in  by  a  fan,  and 
forced  through  a  main  air-duet  into  the  air-space  under  the 
floor  of  the  Senate,  and  thence  into  the  Chamber  by  means 
of  registers.  A  branch  air-dnct  communicates  with  the  gal- 
leries. The  supply  of  fresh  air  is  30,000,  and  exhaust  40,000 
cubic  ft.  a  minute.  The  original  apparatus  was  designed  by 
Capt.  M.  C.  Meigs,  and  the  exhaust  and  other  improvements 
by  H.  F.  Hayden,  Chief  Engineer  U.  S.  Senate.  The  engineer 
in  charge  will  explain  the  principle.  While  here  it  would  be 
interesting  to  inspect  the  foundation  walls  of  the  building. 
Also  inquire  for  the  entrance  to  the  pneumatic  tube  on  the 
N".  side,  and  designed  to  connect  the  Capitol  and  the  Gov- 
ernment Printing  Office,  and  for  the  elevator  engine. 

Official  Telegraph  In  the  hall,  at  the  E.  end  of  the  N. 

corrider  of  the  basement,  is  the  office  of  the  Government 
Telegraph  line,  connecting  the  Capitol  with  the  Executive 
Departments  and  Government  Printing  Office.  The  wires 
leave  the  building  and  cross  the  Capitol  Grounds  by  a  subter- 
ranean cable,  and  thence  on  poles  along  N\  Capitol  st.  to  the 
Government  Printing  Office  ;  thence  along  G  st.  1ST.  to  the 
Interior,  Post  Office,  and  Treasury  Departments  and  Attor- 
ney General's  Office.  From  the  Treasury  Department  they 
pass  over  the  White  House  to  the  War  and  ISTavy  Depart- 
ments, and  by  a  single  wire  to  the  State  Department,  via 
17th  st.  W.,  Vermont  av.,  and  14th  st.  ST.  It  is  proposed  to 
extend  them  to  embrace  all  the  isolated  Bureaus,  Navy-yard, 
and  Arsenal.  The  line  was  constructed  in  1873,  by  G.  C. 
Vlaynard,  under  authority  of  an  act  of  Congress.    From  the 


104 


THE  UNDERCROFT. 


Senate  Extension  the  wires  are  conveyed  under  the  arches  of 
the  sub-basement  of  the  building  to  the  House  office. 

N,  Wing  Basement. — Instead  of  returning  to  the  main 
floor,  the  visitor  should  follow  the  central  corridor  towards 
the  S.  In  the  main  building  on  the  r.  are  the  Senate  bath- 
rooms. On  the  1.  of  the  arched  substruction  of  the  elliptical 
vestibule  is  a  passage  into  a  vestibule,  from  which  the  door 
on  the  1.  enters  the  Law  Library.  The  staircase  leads  to  the 
vestibule  N".  of  the  Rotunda,  on  the  main  floor. 

Law  Library. — This  apartment  is  semi-circular,  with  an 
arched  recess  towards  the  W.,  and  a  colonnade  recess  on  the 
E.,  back  of  which  are  the  only  windows.  An  arcade  passage 
runs  around  the  sweep  of  the  circle,  supporting  a  domical 
ceiling  of  masonry,  resting  on  heavy  Doric  columns,  covering 
the  entire  room.  *  The  ceiling  is  groined  upon  the  surround- 
ing arches.  In  the  tympanum  of  the  W.  arch,  in  the  recess, 
is  a  plaster  relief,  by  Franzoni,  representing  a  figure  of  Jus- 
tice, and  by  her  side  Fame,  crowned  with  a  rising  sun  and 
pointing  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  The  col- 
umns and  piers  of  the  arches  of  this  room  are  heavy  Doric. 
Some  alterations  were  made  on  the  original  design  of  this 
room,  owing  to  the  fall  of  the  vaulted  ceiling,  the  result  of 
defective  construction.  This  led  to  the  introduction  of  the 
columns,  which  have  added  greatly  to  the  appearance  of 
solidity,  and  has  materially  strengthened  that  part  of  the 
building.  The  alcoves  for  the  books  are  arranged  on  the  W. 
Returning  to  the  corridor  and  continuing  S.  we  enter 

The  Crypt. — This  interresting  part  of  the  basement  of  the 
Capitol  may  also  be  entered  beneath  the  central  Portico  or 
W.  door  of  basement.  The  Crypt  presents  a  circular  space, 
consisting  of  a  treble  colonnade,  containing  40  Doric  columns 
of  the  proportions  of  those  of  the  Temple  of  Psestum,  sur- 
mounted by  groined  arches  running  in  radii  direction,  and 
supporting  the  floor  of  the  Rotunda.  The  star  in  the  pave- 
ment under  the  central  arch  denotes  the  exact  center  of  the 
Capitol. 

The  Undercroft.— Beneath  the  Crypt  is  the  Undercroft,  or 
vault,  originally  designed  for  the  sarcophagus  containing  the 
remains  of  Washington.  The  key  is  in  the  room  on  r.  of 
1.  corridor,  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  descending  from  the  W. 
door  of  the  Crypt.  An  attache*  of  the  office  will  lead  the 
way.  The  Undercroft  is  cruciform  and  arched.  The  square 
portion  is  10  ft.  In  the  centre  of  the  crowning  arch  is  a  star, 
not  distinguishable,  however,  which  marks  the  exact  centre 
of  the  immense  pile  above.    In  the  vault  is  portion  of  the 


NATIONAL  STATUARY  HALL. 


105 


bier  on  which  the  remains  of  President  Lincoln,  Thaddeus 
Stevens,  and  Chief  Justice  Chase  lay  in  state. 

Upon  learning  of  the  death  of  Washington,  Congress, 
Dec.  24,  1799,  passed  resolutions  appropriate  to  the  sad 
event,  and  provided  that  a  marble  monument  should  be 
erected  by  the  United  States  in  the  Capitol  at  Washington. 
The  President  was  authorized  to  request  the  wife  of  the  de- 
parted patriot  to  permit  his  body  to  be  deposited  under  it. 
The  monument  was  to  be  so  u  designed  as  to  commemorate 
the  great  events  of  his  military  and  political  life."  In  re- 
sponse to  the  letter  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Washington  thus 
trans  mitted  her  assent : 

"Taught  by  the  great  example  I  have  so  long  had  before 
me,  never  to  oppose  my  private  wishes  to  the  public  will,  I 
must  consent  to  the  request  of  Congress,  which  you  had  the 
goodness  to  transmit  to  me ;  and  in  doing  this  I  need  not — 
I  cannot — say  what  a  sacrifice  of  individual  feeling  I  make  to 
a  sense  of  public  duty." 

The  wish  of  Congress  was  not  carried  out,  and  a  subse- 
quent request  of  the  same  character,  in  connection  with  the 
National  Monument,  was  declined. 

Keturning  to  the  Crypt,  it  would  be  well  to  take  a  view  of 
the  substruction  of  the  central  Portico  from  the  W.  door. 
Leaving  the  Crypt  by  the  S.  door,  the  visitor  enters  a  small 
octagonal  vestibule,  beyond  which  are  document  and  folding 
rooms.  The  door  to  the  1.  leads  into  another  vestibule,  of 
beautiful  design,  containing  a  stairway,  into  a  circular  vesti- 
bule on  the  main  floor,  communicating  N.  with  the  S.  door 
of  the  Rotunda,  and  S.  with  the  National  Statuary  Hall. 
This  vestibule  is  crowned  by  a  dome  and  cupola,  and  resem- 
bles a  Greek  temple.  The  capitals  of  the  columns  are  orna- 
mented with  the  leaf  of  the  cotton  plant,  instead  of  the  acan- 
thus. This  vestibule  corresponds  with  that  on  the  N.  side. 
It  is  suggested  that  the  visitor  here  ascends  to  the  main  floor, 
and  turning  to  the  1.  or  S.  enters  the 

National  Statuary  Hall.— The  National  Statuary  Hall,  for- 
merly used  as  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, is  Grecian  in  design,  having  been  planned  and 
adapted,  by  Latrobe,  after  the  remains  of  the  Theatre  at  Ath- 
ens. It  consists  of  a  semi-circle  of  9G  ft.  chord.  The  ends 
of  the  prostyle  and  peristyle  are  separated  by  a  wide  project- 
ing surface  of  freestone,  which  rises  to  the  top  of  the  order 
and  supports  a  segment  arch,  which  corresponds  with  the 
segment  of  the  vaulted  ceiling  that  crowns  the  hall  and  ends 
against  it.  To  the  top  of  the  entablature  blocking  is  35  ft., 
and  to  the  apex  of  the  domed  ceiling  57  ft.   The  semi-peri- 


106 


NATIONAL  STATUARY  HALL. 


style  or  circular  colonnade  on  the  !N".  is  composed  of  14  col- 
umns and  2  antse,  of  the  Corinthian  order ;  the  shafts  of  solid 
blocks  of  variegated  marble  or  breccia,  quarried  from  the 
banks  of  the  Potomac,  above  the  city.  The  bases  are  free- 
stone. The  capitals  are  of  Carrara  marble,  executed  in  Italy, 
and  designed  after  those  in  the  Temple  of  Jupiter  Stator  at 
Rome — Haclfleid  says  after  the  capitals  of  the  Lantern  of  De- 
mos at  Athens.  The  entablature  is  of  the  proportions  used 
in  the  former  temple,  ornamented  with  dentils  and  modil- 
lons,  enriched  with  leaves  and  roses.  The  floor  is  of  marble. 
A  paneled  dome  springs  overhead.  The  apex  of  the  dome 
is  pierced  by  a  circular  aperture,  crowned  by  a  lantern,  serv- 
ing the  double  purpose  of  light  and  ventilation.  The  dome 
is  similar  to  that  of  the  Pantheon  at  Rome.  On  the  S.  side 
of  the  hall,  forming  the  loggia,  are  8  columns  and  2  autre  of 
the  same  style  as  the  peristyle.  Over  the  entablature  of  this 
colonnade  springs  a  beautiful  72  ft.  chord.  On  the  blocking 
of  the  cornice  beneath  is  a  figure  of  Liberty,  in  plaster,  by 
Caucici,  1829,  originally  intended  for  execution  in  marble. 
The  figure,  seen  from  the  gallaries  in  front,  produces  a  strik- 
ing effect,  and  is  in  every  respect  worthy  of  the  pupil  of  the 
great  Canova.  On  the  r.  is  the  frustum  of  a  column,  around 
which  a  serpent,  the  emblem  of  wisdom,  is  entwining  itself, 
and  at  the  feet  of  the  figure  is  an  American  eagle.  In  the 
frieze  of  the  entablature,  under  this  figure,  is  sculptured  an 
eagle  in  stone,  with  outspread  wings,  the  work  of  Valaperti, 
and  of  very  superior  merit.  The  gallery  over  the  loggia  was 
set  apart  for  the  ladies,  having  cushioned  seats  for  the  accom- 
modation of  200  persons  :  the  general  gallery  would  seat  500. 
Over  the  N.  door  stands  an  exquisitely  designed  and  beauti- 
fully executed  clock  in  marble,  by  Chas.  Franzoni,  1819.  His- 
tory, her  drapery  floating  in  the  air,  is  represented  as  standing 
in  the  winged  car  of  Time  and  recording  passing  events.  The 
car  is  placed  on  a  globe,  on  which,  in  basso  relievo,  are  cut 
the  signs  of  the  zodiac.  The  hours  are  marked  on  the  face  of 
the  wheel  of  the  car. 

In  July,  1864,  a  paragraph  in  an  appropriation  bill  passed 
by  Congress  authorized  the  President  of  the  United  States 
to  invite  each  and  all  the  States  to  furnish  statues,  in  marble 
or  bronze,  not  exceeding  two  in  number  for  each  State,  of 
deceased  persons  who  have  been  citizens  thereof  and  illustri- 
ous for  their  historic  renown,  or  for  distinguished  civic  or  mili- 
tary service,  as  the  States  determine,  worthy  of  this  national 
commemoration,  wThen  so  furnished  to  be  placed  in  the  old 
Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  the  Capitol  of  the 
United  States,  which  is  set  apart  for  a  National  Statuary 
Hall. 


NATIONAL  STATUARY  HALL. 


107 


It  is  to  be  regretted  that  so  many  years  have  already  been 
permitted  to  pass  with  so  small  a  recognition  of  the  grandeur 
of  this  projected  National  Gallery. 

The  State  contributions  in  the  order  received  are — 

Rhode  Island — Major  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  a  dis- 
tinguished officer  of  the  Revolution.  Marble,  by  H.  K.  Brown. 
Roger  Williams,  founder  of  Rhode  Island  and  promoter  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty  in  America.    Marble,  by  Simmons. 

Connecticut — Jonathan  Trumbull,  an  eminent  patriot  of 
the  Revolution.  From  him  the  term  u Brother  Jonathan, 'r 
as  applied  to  the  United  States,  originated.  Marble,  by  Ives. 
Roger  Sherman,  one  of  the  committee  to  draft  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  and  signer  of  the  same,  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  a  Senator  of  the  United 
States.    Marble,  by  Ives,  1870. 

New  York — George  Clinton,  a  statesman  and  officer  of 
the  Revolution,  Governor  of  New  York,  Vice  President  of 
the  United  States  1805-1813.  Bronze,  by  H.  K.  Brown,  1873. 
Edward  Livingston,  Secretary  of  State  1831-1833.  Now  being 
executed  in  Itaty.    Marble,  by  Palmer. 

The  following  contributions  have  been  ordered : 

New  Jersey — Richard  Stockton,  a  signer  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  a  Senator  of  the  United  States.  Mar- 
ble, by  H.  K.  Brown.  Nearly  ready.  Major  General  Philip 
Kearney,  an  officer  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States.  Killed 
in  the  rebellion  of  1861-'65.  Bronze,  by  H.  K.  Brown. 
Nearly  ready. 

In  addition  to  the  State  contributions,  the  Hall  also  con- 
contains  a  plaster  copy  of  the  statue  of  George  Washington  at 
Richmond,  by  Houdon,  1788,  representing  the  Father  of  his 
Country  in  civil  attire,  with  a  staff  in  his  hand,  his  cloak  and 
sword  resting  on  a  bundle  of  rods,  and  with  a  rude  plow  in 
the  rear.  The  original  was  ordered  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  Va.  A  bust  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  marble,  by  Mrs.  Ames, 
18G8,  $2,000,  mounted  on  a  beautiful  pedestal  of  Aberdeen 
granite,  presented  to  the  Fortieth  Congress;  a  bust  of  T. 
Kosciusko,  the  Pole,  in  marble,  by  Saunders,  1857,  $500; 
bust  of  Thomas  Crawford,  sculptor;  the  superb  statue  of 
Alexander  Hamilton,  in  marble,  by  Horatio  Stone,  1868, 
$10,000;  statue  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  bv  Miss  Ream,  1866, 
$15,000 ;  II  Penseroso,  marble,  Mozier,  $2,000 ;  and  the  statue 
of  Thomas  Jefferson  signing  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
bronze,  by  the  celebrated  David,  of  Angers,  1833,  presented 
by  Lieut.  Uriah  P.  Levy,  U.  S.  N.,  to  his  fellow-citizens, 
formally  accepted  by  Congress  1874,  when  it  was  removed 
from  the  grounds  of  the  President's  House,  and  cleaned. 

The  panel  E.  end  of  the  prostyle  is  without  ornament.  In 


108 


HOUSE  EXTENSION. 


the  opposite  panel  is  a  life-size  portrait  of  Henry  Clay,  by 
John  ISTeagle,  1843,  $500,  and  portraits  of  Charles  Carroll  of 
Oarrollton,  by  Chester  Harding ;  one  of  Gunning  Bedford, 
a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  from  Delaware, 
presented;  one  of  Joshua  R.  Giddings,  by  Miss  Ransom, 
$1,000;  and  a  mosaic  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  by  Salviati,  of 
Venice,  a  manufacturer. 

It  is  proposed  also  to  fit  up  this  Hall  with  upper  and  lower 
galleries,  with  panels  and  niches,  the  former  to  be  occupied 
by  portraits  of  Speakers  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

When  the  Hall  was  occupied  by  the  House,  the  Speaker's 
chair  stood  on  the  S.  side,  upon  an  open  rostrum  about  four 
feet  above  the  floor,  enclosed  by  a  bronze  balustrade.  Rich 
crimson  curtains  fell  in  elegant  folds  from  the  capitals  of  the 
columns,  and  were  separated  so  as  to  form  luxurious  dra- 
peries as  a  background  to  the  chair  and  rostrum.  Below  and 
in  front  of  the  Speaker's  rostrum  stood  the  Clerk's  desk, 
raised  on  a  variegated  socle.  Upon  this  stood  a  rich  mahog- 
any table,  with  damask  silk  curtains.  This  platform  was 
reached  by  steps  on  either  side.  Between  the  columns  were 
sofas  and  accommodations  for  twenty  reporters. 

The  members'  desks,  of  mahogany,  with  arm  chairs,  were 
arranged  in  concentric  circles,  the  aisles  forming  radii  from 
the  centre.  The  Hall  was  arranged  for  232  members.  In  the 
rear  of  the  outer  row  of  desks  wa  s  a  bronzed  iron  railing  with 
curtains,  constituting  the  bar  of  the  House.  Outside  of  this 
was  the  lobby.  The  panels  on  either  side  of  the  ladies'  gal- 
lery contained  full-length  portraits  of  Washington  by  Van- 
derlyn,  and  Lafayette  by  Ary  Scheffer,  a  present  from  the 
distinguished  Frenchman  upon  his  last  visit  to  the  United 
States.  These  are  now  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 
Under  these  were  copies  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
in  frames  emblematically  ornamented.  At  night  the  Hall  was 
lighted  by  " solar  gas"  from  a  chandelier  at  the  apex  of  the 
dome.  This  Hall  was  occupied  by  Congress  for  32  years. 
During  the  first  days  of  the  Rebellion,  1861-'65,  troops  were 
quartered  in  it.  In  1862  it  was  used  as  a  hospital  for  the  sick 
and  wounded  of  the  army;  and  in  1864,  by  act  of  Congress, 
was  set  apart  for  its  present  appropriate  purpose. 

South  or  H  House  "  Extension. — The  S.  door  of  the  National 
Statuary  Hall  opens  into  a  broad  corridor,  which  constitutes 
the  beginning  of  the  S.  Extension  of  the  Capitol,  devoted  en- 
tirely to  the  uses  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  lower 
branch  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  This  portion 
of  the  building  corresponds,  in  its  general  features,  with  the 
Senate  Extension,  the  larger  size  of  the  Hall  of  the  Repre- 


HOUSE  EXTENSION. 


109 


sentatives  constituting  the  only  difference.  The  E.  staircase, 
the  same  as  the  Senate,  leads  to  the  galleries  for  diplomatic 
representatives  and  families  of  members  of  Congress.  At  the 
foot,  is  the  Statue  of  Jefferson,  by  Powers,  1863,  $10,000,  ex- 
ecuted in  Italy,  very  superior.  Opposite,  over  the  first  land- 
ing, is  an  equestrian  portrait  of  General  Winfield  Scott,  by 
Troye,  (not  owned  by  the  Government,)  painted  for  the  Vir- 
ginia legislature,  the  rebellion  breaking  out  before  it  was  de- 
livered. The  main  entrance  into  the  vestibule  bej^ond  will  be 
fitted  with  a  bronze  door,  the  designs  of  which  were  prepared 
by  Crawford,  sculptor  of  the  Senate  door,  previous  to  his 
death,  and  executed,  in  model,  by  Rhinehart,  $9,000,  and  are 
now  stored  in  the  building.  The  door  will  represent  scenes 
in  the  life  of  Washington.  The  vestibule  consists  of  8  fluted 
columns  in  couples,  with  capitals  enriched  with  acanthus,  to- 
bacco, and  corn  leaves.  In  the  walls  are  niches.  On  the  1. 
of  the  S.  corridor  is  the  Members''  Retiring  Room,  now  used  by 
the  Official  Reporters.  The  lobby  beyond  and  the  floor  of  the 
Hall  are  open  to  the  public  during  a  recess  or  adjournment. 
At  other  times  a  member  of  the  House  can  pass  visitors  into 
the  former.  The  rules  of  the  House  designate  those  privi- 
leged to  the  floor.  The  lobby  has  an  iron-paneled  ceiling, 
decorated  in  oil,  after  the  style  of  the  15th  century.  On  the 
r.  the  doors  open  into  the  Hall,  and  on  the  1.  is  the  Sergeant- 
at-Arms^  Room,  in  which  the  Mace  is  kept  when  the  House  of 
Representatives  is  not  in  session.  The  Speakers  Room,  next 
on  the  1.,  is  entirely  finished  in  iron,  enriched  with  gilt.  The 
furniture  and  fittings  are  extremely  fine.  On  the  walls  are 
engravings  or  photographs  of  the  Speakers.  On  the  1.  of  the 
W.  corridor  are  the  Offices  of  the  House.  On  the  same  cor- 
ridor is  the  W.  staircase,  the  same  as  on  the  E.  At  the  foot 
is  the  head  of  Bee-she-kee,  The  Buffalo,  a  Chippewa  warrior 
from  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi,  from  nature  by  F.  Vin- 
centi,  1854 ;  copied  in  bronze  by  Joseph  Lassalle,  1858.  Op- 
posite, over  the  first  landing,  is  Westward  Ho,  a  chromo-silica, 
by  Emanuel  Leutze,  1862,  $20,000.  The  best  view  is  from 
the  balustrade  at  the  top  of  the  staircase.  The  painting  rep- 
resents an  emigrant  train  crossing  the  Rocky  Mountains.  The 
figures  are  excellent,  and  the  face  of  nature  in  those  high  al- 
v  titudes  is  faithfully  portrayed.  A  guide  to  these  wild  regions 
leads  the  way.  The  faces  of  the  travel-worn  emigrants  beam 
with  hope.  In  the  distant  valley  in  the  rear  is  an  emigrant 
camp.  The  snow-clad  peaks  and  rugged  rocks  all  appear  in 
their  wild  sublimity.  Above  are  the  words  "Westward  the 
Course  of  Empire  takes  it  way,"  and  below  is  the  "Golden 
Gate,"  the  entrance  to  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco.  The 
entire  picture  is  surrounded  by  an  appropriate  border.  Ia 


110 


HALL  OF  THE  HOUSE. 


I  1  w  i  h  y 


112 


HALL  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 


that  on  the  N.  is  a  portrait  of  Daniel  Boone,  and  below  the 

words — 

41  The  spirit  grows  with  its  allotted  space, 
The  mind  is  narrowed  in  a  narrow  sphere.1' 

Opposite  is  a  portrait  of  Capt.  William  Clarke,  and  beneath 
the  words — 

w  No  pent-up  Utica  contracts  our  powers, 
But  the  whole  boundless  continent  is  ours." 

Second  Floor. — The  visitor  has  now  reached  the  second 
story,  or  gallery  floor.  The  corridors  on  the  W.,  where  he 
stands,  and  on  the  N.  and  E.,  are  open  to  the  public.  That 
on  the  S.  is  devoted  to  the  Press  Telegraph  Offices,  and  Re- 
porter's Retiring  Room  in  the  W.  half,  and  Ladies'1  Retiring 
Room  on  the  E  .  The  latter  is  reached  by  the  N.  and  E.  cor- 
ridors, the  entrance  being  at  the  S.  end  of  the  latter,  right- 
hand  side.  The  House  Document  Library,  containing  about 
60,000  vols.,  is  on  the  ST.  corridor  centre,  ]ST.  side.  Commit- 
tee rooms  open  from  the  outside  upon  the  E.  and  W.  corri- 
dors. The  corridors  are  neatly  but  plainly  finished,  in  stucco 
ornamentations,  on  tinted  and  plain  background. 

Galleries. — The  galleries  entered  from  the  W.  doors  are 
for  ladies  or  gentlemen  accompanied  by  ladies ;  on  the  N. 
for  gentlemen;  on  E.  families  of  members  and  diplomatic 
representatives  and  ladies ;  and  on  the  S.,  in  centre,  mem- 
bers of  the  press  and  ladies  on  either  side.  The  entrances 
to  all  these  galleries,  during  the  sessions  of  Congress,  are 
guarded  by  doorkeepers,  whose  duty  it  is  to  seat  the  people, 
and  to  see  that  proper  decorum  is  observed. 

The  Hall  of  the  Kepresentatives— or  the  "  House  of  Kep- 
resentatives," occupies  the  centre  of  the  main  floor  of  the  S. 
Extension  of  the  Capitol.  The  dimensions  of  this  superb 
legislative  hall,  the  finest  in  the  world,  are  :  length,  139  ft. ; 
width,  93  ft. ;  height,  36  ft.  The  measurement  of  the  floor 
is  115  ft.  by  67  ft.  The  form  of  the  hall  is  a  parallelogram, 
with  a  range  of  galleries  on  the  four  sides,  and  capable  of 
seating  about  2,500  persons.  Beneath  these  galleries,  against 
the  2sT.,  E.,  and  W.  walls,  are  cloak  and  retiring  rooms. 
Under  the  galleries,  over  the  back  of  the  Speaker's  chair,  is 
the  lobby. 

Upon  the  floor  of  the  Hall  are  oak  desks  for  302  members 
and  delegates,  arranged  in  7  concentric  semi-circles,  facing 
the  S.  The  aisles  diverge  from  the  Speaker's  "desk."  The 
latter  is  raised  about  3  ft.  from  the  floor.  In  front  are  desks 
for  the  clerks  of  the  House,  and  still  in  front  desks  for  the 
official  reporters.   These  are  made  of  white  marble,  with  a 


BASEMENT. 


113 


base  of  Tennessee,  and  are  extremely  beautiful.  The  clock 
marks  the  morning  hour  and  limit  of  debate.  E.  of  the 
Speaker  is  a  circular  pedestal  of  Vermont  marble,  upon  which 
the  mace  or  insignia  of  authority  is  placed  when  the  House  is 
in  session.  When  not  in  use,  this  may  be  seen  in  the  room  of 
the  Sergeant-at-Arms  in  the  SE.  end  of  the  lobby.  It  con- 
sists of  a  bundle  of  lictor's  rods,  bound  together  by  silver  liga- 
tures, and  surmounted  by  a  silver  terrestial  globe,  crowned  by 
the  American  eagle.  Against  the  wall  on  the  same  side  is  a 
full-length  portrait  of  Washington,  by  Vanderlyn,  1834,  and 
in  the  corresponding  position  on  the  W.  a  similar  portrait  of 
the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,by  Ary  Scheffer,1822,  the  celebrated 
French  artist.  The  latter  was  presented  to  Congress  by  La- 
fayette upon  his  last  visit  to  the  United  States.  In  the  W. 
panel  of  the  S.  wall,  under  the  gallery,  is  a  fresco  by  Bru- 
midi,  representing  Washington  at  Yorktown  receiving  the 
officer  sent  by  Cornwallis  to  ask  a  two  days'  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, and  in  place  of  which  two  hours  were  granted.  The 
fresco  was  necessarily  finished  in  great  haste.  The  location 
is  also  unsuitable.  Over  the  door  is  a  clock,  surmounted 
by  an  eagle,  and  supported  on  either  side  by  figures  of  an  In- 
dian and  hunter. 

The  ceiling  of  the  Hall  is  of  cast  iron,  paneled,  and  highly 
enriched  with  gilt  moldings,  and  supported  on  a  decorated 
cornice.  There  are  45  panels,  filled  with  glass  of  appropriate 
design,  37  with  stained  centre  pieces,  representing  the  coats 
of  arms  of  the  States.  There  are  two  outer  rows  of  panels, 
that  nearest  the  walls  consisting  of  open  work  with  massive 
pendants  in  the  centre.  The  iron  frame- work  of  the  panels 
is  beautifully  painted  and  gilded.  Between  the  ceiling  and 
the  roof  of  the  building  is  the  illuminating  loft,  which  also 
accommodates  the  truss-work  connecting  the  frame  of  the 
ceiling  with  the  roof,  in  order  to  secure  increased  strength. 
Inside  the  panels  are  gas  jets,  numbering  about  1,500,  lighted 
by  electricity,  and  which,  during  night  sessions,  shed  a  mel- 
low light  upon  the  Hall  beneath.  The  Hall  is  heated  and 
ventilated  by  the  same  means  as  devised  for  the  Senate. 

Basement. — The  basement,  reached  beneath  the  E.  or  W. 
staircase,  is  entirely  without  decoration.  The  central  cor- 
ridor, 25  ft.  wide  from  N".  to  S.,  consists  of  a  fine  colonnade 
of  14  fluted  marble  columns  on  each  side,  with  capitals 
formed  of  acanthus,  tobacco,  and  corn  leaves.  The  walls 
are  scagliola,  imitating  Sienna  marble,  the  ceiling  iron,  and 
the  floor  of  encaustic  tiles.  On  the  1.  is  the  u House"  Ke- 
fectory.  The  central  corridor  on  the  left  passes  the  bath 
rooms,  and  terminates  in  the  E.  vestibule.    The  narrow 


114 


HISTORY. 


passage  on  the  1.  leads  to  the  steps  to  the  vaults  and  sub- 
basement,  in  which  are  the  kitchens,  heating  and  ventilat- 
ing apparatus,  and  coal  vaults.  These  are  materially  the 
same  as  beneath  the  Senate. 

Committee  Kooms. — The  only  committee  room  of  special 
interest  is  that  on  Agriculture,  in  the  basement,  on  the  W. 
side  of  the  W.  corridor  &.,  and  near  the  foot  of  the  W.  stair- 
case. This  room  was  decorated  by  Brumidi  in  1855,  the  first 
work  of  the  kind  done  on  the  Capitol,  and,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  panels,  is  frescoed  throughout.  On  the  ceilings 
are  representations  of  the  four  seasons,  symbolized  in  Flora, 
Ceres,  Bacchus,  and  Boreas.  On  the  E.  wall  is  a  fresco 
representing  Cincinnatus  called  from  the  plow  to  be  Dictator 
of  Rome.  On  the  opposite  wall  is  a  corresponding  scene,  rep- 
resenting Putnam  called  from  the  plow  to  join  in  the  battles 
of  the  Revolution.  On  the  S.  is  a  medallion  of  Washington, 
and  beneath  a  Harvest  in  the  Olden  Time.  Opposite  Jefferson, 
and  beneath,  a  Harvest  Scene  with  Modern  Improvements. 
This  room  may  be  seen  by  rapping  at  the  door  or  making 
.  inquiry  of  one  of  the  Capitol  Police. 

The  visitor  has  now  seen  the  grander  features  of  the  Capi- 
tol. Those  portions  having  no  special  interest  have  been 
purposely  omitted,  it  being  considered  unnecessary  to  burden 
him  with  useless  and  unimportant  details. 

Capitol  Police. — The  Capitol  is  patrolled  by  a  special  police 
corps,  organized  in  1862,  and  under  the  exclusive  control  of 
Congress.  The  officers  and  privates  are  invariably  courteous, 
and  will  take  pleasure  at  all  times  in  directing  or  escorting 
strangers  to  various  parts  of  the  building. 


HISTORY. 


115 


Architects  of  the  Capitol. — 1793,  Dr.  William  Thornton,  of  Penn.,  an 
amateur,  designer  of  the  Capitol ;  1793,  Stephen  Hallet,  France;  1794,  James 
Hoban,  S.  C;  1795,  George  Hadfield,  England  ;  1796,  James  Hoban,  S.  C; 
1797,  George  Hadfield,  England  ;  1803,  R.  H.  Latrobe,  Md.;  1817,  Charles 
Bulfinch,  Mass.;  1851,  Thomas  U.  Walter,  Penn.;  1865,  Edward  Clark,  Penn. 

History. — The  site  of  the  Capitol  was  chosen  and  approved  by  Washing- 
ton, in  the  original  plans  of  the  city,  submitted  to  him  by  L'Enfant,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1791  was  located.  On  this  occasion  Mr.  Ellicott  drew  the  meridian 
and  the  E.  and  W.  lines,  at  the  intersection  of  which  the  Capitol  was  to  stand. 
This  having  been  accomplished,  in  March,  1792,  the  commissioners  advertised 
in  the  newspapers  in  the  principal  towns  and  cities  of  the  United  States,  offer- 
ing a  premium  of  $500,  or  a  medal,  for  a  plan  of  a  President's  House  and 
Capitol.  In  this  matter  Jefferson  took  an  active  interest.  During  his  residence 
in  Europe  he  had  collected  drawings  of  the  fronts  of  celebrated  public  build- 
ings. These  were  now  produced  for  examination.  He  suggested,  in  the  present 
instance,  that  the  style  of  architecture  of  the  Capitol  should  be  taken  from 
some  model  of  antiqu  ty,  and  that  the  President's  House  should  be  modern 


the  capitol  of  the  united  states  of  America  in  1840.  (Eastern  Facade.) 
In  response  to  the  advertisements  a  number  of  plans  were  submitted,  but  in  the 
selection  of  one  for  the  Capitol  there  was  a  variety  of  opinions^ 

Apian  by  Dr.  Wm.  Thornton,  of  Penn.,  but  materially  altered  and  im- 
proved by  others,  was  approved  by  Washington  and  submitted  to  Stephen 
Hallet,  a  French  architect,  who  was  intrusted  with  its  execution.  On  Sept. 
18,  1793,  the  corner-stone  of  the  edifice,  SE.  corner,  was  laid  by  Brother 
George  Washington,  assisted  by  the  Worshipful  Masters  and  Free  Masons 
of  the  surrounding  cities,  the  military,  and  a  large  number  of  people.  The 
silver  plate  deposited  in  the  cavity  of  the  stone  bope  the  following  inscription : 

"This  south-east  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United*  States  of  America, 
in  the  City  of  Washington,  was  laid  on  the  18th  day  of  September,  1793,  in  the 
thirteenth  year  of  American  Independence,  in  the  first  year  of  the  sec- 
ond term  of  the  Presidency  of  George  Washington,  whose  virtues  in  the  civil 
administration  of  his  country  have  been  as  conspicouous  and  beneficial,  as  his 
military  valor  and  prudence  have  been  useful  in  establishing  her  liberties,  and 
in  the  year  of  Masonry  5793,  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  concert 
with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  several  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  and 
Lodge  No.  22  from  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

"Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stewart,  and  Daniel  Carroll,  Commissioners  ; 
Joseph  Clarke,  R.  W.  G.  M.  P.  T.;  James  Hoban  and  Stephen  Hallate,  Ar-> 
chitects  ;  Collin  Williamson,  M.  Mason." 


116 


HISTORY. 


After  ascending  from  the  cavazion  the  Grand  Master,  P.  T.,  Joseph  Clarke, 
delivered  an  oration  during  which,  at  intervals,  volleys  were  fired  by  the 
artillery.  The  ceremony  closed  in  prayer,  Masonic  chanting  honors,  and  a 
national  salute  of  15  guns. 

The  President  wore  the  apron  and  full  regalia  of  a  Mason.  The  gavel  used 
was  of  ivory,  and  is  still  preserved  as  a  treasured  relic  by  Lodge  No.  9  ot 
Georgetown.  fc 

After  the  dedicatory  services  the  entire  assemblage  took  part  in  a  barbecue 
arranged  for  the  occasion  in  the  E.  Park. 

The  N.  Wing  was  ready  for 
occupation  in  1800.  In  the  com- 
pleted wing  the  Senate  on  the 
W.  side,  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives on  E.,  and  the  Su- 
preme Court  in  the  basement, 
first  held  their  sessions.  In 
1801  the  House  occupied  a  tem- 
porary structure  called  the 
"Oven,"  from  its  shape,  erected 
on  the  site  of  the  present  S.  Ex- 
tension. In  1805  it  returned  to 
its  first  apartment  in  the  N. 
Wing.  In  1803  R.  H.  Latrobe 
was  appointed  Architect  of  the 
Capitol.  This  gentleman  made 
radical  changes  in  the  elevation 
and  ground  plan  of  the  build- 
ing, raising  the  floor  from  the 
ground  story  to  the  principal 
order  over  the  casement.  The 
S.  Wing  was  in  readiness  for  the 
occupation  of  Congress  in  i8ir. 
The  central  portions  were  still 
unfinished.  An  unsightly  wood- 
en passage  connected  the  two 
wings.  During  the  war  of  1812 
work  on  the  building  was  sus- 
pended. In  1814  the  interior  of 
both  wings  was  destroyed  by 
the  British,  after  which  Con- 
gress, on  Sept.  19,  1814,  met 
temporarily  in  the  structure 
known  as  Blodgett's  Hotel,  sit- 
uated on  the  E-st.  front  of  the 
square  now  occupied  by  the 
General  Post  Office.  The  ses- 
sion of  Congress  commencing 
Dec.  18,  1815,  assembled  in  a 
building  on  the  SE.  corner  of  A 
and  1st  sts.  NE.  erected  by  the 
citizens  of  Washington  for  the 
purpose,  and  was  occupied  till 
the  restoration  cf  the  S.  Wing 
of  the  original  Capitol  in  1827. 
This  structure  was  afterwards  known  as  the  "Old  Capitol,"  and  was  used 
as  a  political  prison  during  the  Rebellion,  1861-65. 

In  1815,  after  an  obstinate  discussion,  for  a  time  threatening  the  most  serious 
consequences  to  the  harmony  of  the  Union,  Congress  determined  to  restore  the 
Capitol.  The  work  of  restoration  was  commenced  by  Mr.  Latrobe.  Charles 
Bulfinch,  of  Boston,  hih  successor,  commenced  the  central  portions  of  the  build- 
ing, including  the  Rotunda  and  Library,  in  1818,  which  were  completed  in  1827. 


HISTORY. 


lit 


In  1818  a  temporary  building  was  erected  near  the  Capitol  for  the  use  of  com- 
mittees of  Congress.  The  plans  of  Latrobe,  with  a  few  slight  modifications, 
were  carried  out,  and  the  entire  structure,  with  terraces  and  grounds,  was  com- 
pleted in  13  years,  at  a  cost,  including  alterations,  repairs,  &c,  and  improve- 
ment of  grounds,  to  1851,  when  the  Extensions  were  added,  $2,690,459.21.  In 
Sept.,  1850,  Congress  passed  an  act  authorizing  the  extension  of  the  Capitol. 
Thomas  U.  Walter,  the  architect  of  Girard  College,  at  Philadelphia,  in  June, 
1851,  submitted  apian  of  extension  to  President  Fillmore.  This  was  accepted, 
and  Mr.  Walter  was  designated 
to  carry  it  into  execution.  The 
corner-stone  of  the  S.  extension 
was  laid  on  July  4,  1851.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  record 
deposited  beneath  the  corner- 
stone : 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  first 
day  of  the  seventy -sixth  year  of 
the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  the  City 
of  Washington,  being  the  4th 
day  of  July,  1851,  this  stone, 
designated  as  the  corner-stone 
of  the  Extension  of  the  Capitol, 
according  to  a  plan  approved 
by  the  President,  in  pursuance 
by  of  an  act  of  Congress,  was  laid 
Millard  Fillmore,  President 
of  the  United  States,  assisted 
by  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
Masonic  Lodges,  in  the  presence 
of  many  members  of  Congress; 
of  officers  of  the  Executive  and 
Judiciary  departments,  Nation- 
al, State  and  District ;  of  officers 
of  the  Army  and  Navy ;  the 
corporate  authorities  of  this  and 
neighboring  cities  ;  many  asso- 
ciations, civil  and  military  and 
Masonic;  officers  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  and  National 
Institute  ;  professors  of  colleges 
and  teachers  of  schools  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  with  their 
students  and  pupils ;  and  a  vast 
concourse  of  people  from  places 
near  and  remote,  including  a 
few  surviving  gentlemen  who 
witnessed  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  by 
President  Washington,  on  the 
eighteenth  day  of  September, 
seventeen  hundred  and  ninety- 
three. 

u  If,  therefore,  it  shall  be  hereafter  the  will  of  God  that  this  structure  shall 
fall  from  its  base,  that  its  foundation  be  upturned,  and  this  deposit  brought  to 
the  eye  of  men,  be  it  known  that,  on  this  day,  the  Union  of  the  United  States 
of  America  stands  firm ;  that  their  Constitution  still  exists  unimpaired,  and 
with  all  its  original  usefulness  and  glory,  growing  every  day  stronger  and 
stronger  in  the  affections  of  the  great  body  of  the  American  people,  and  attract- 
ing more  and  more  the  admiration  of  the  world.  And  all  here  assembled, 
whether  belonging  to  public  life  or  to  private  life,  with  hearts  devoutly  thankful 


118 


HISTORY  OF  CONGRESS. 


to  Almighty  God  for  the  preservation  of  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  the  coun 
try,  unite  in  sincere  and  fervent  prayers  that  this  deposit,  and  the  walls  and 
arches,  the  domes  and  towers,  the  columns  and  entablatures,  now  to  be  erected 
over  it,  may  endure  forever  ! 

"  God  save  the  United  States  of  America  !  Daniel  Webster, 

"Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States." 

Daniel  Webster,  the  orator  of  the  day,  concluded  the  ceremonies  in  an  elo- 
quent address. 

In  1855  Congress  authorized  the  removal  of  the  Dome,  and  the  construction 
of  a  new  one  of  iron,  according  to  the  plans  of  Architect  Walter.  The  first 
Dome  was  built  of  wood.  In  the  fire  of  1851,  which  consumed  the  interior  of 
the  Library  of  Congress,  this  Dome  was  in  imminent  danger.  Tnough»it 
escaped  destruction,  the  lesson  suggested  its  removal,  which  was  done  in  1856. 
In  its  place  the  erection  of  the  present  Dome  of  iron,  finished  in  1865,  was 
undertaken.  The  inner  shell  of  the  first  Dome  was  ornamented  with  panels  or 
caissons,  and  modeled  after  that  of  the  Pantheon  of  Agrippa  at  Rome.  It  was 
smaller  in  size,  the  Dome  of  the  Capitol  being  96  ft.  in  height  and  diameter, 
and  122^  ft  to  the  skylight.  The  Dome  of  the  Pantheon  was  142  ft.  in  diam- 
eter, which  was  about  the  same  as  the  height,  one-half  being  the  height  of  the 
Dome  and  the  circular  opening  for  light  23  ft.  in  diameter.  The  outer  shell  of 
the  Dome  of  the  Capitol  was  higher  in  proportion  than  its  original  in  Rome. 
The  circular  aperture  at  the  apex  was  also  covered  by  a  cupola,  around  which 
there  was  a  balustrade,  reached  by  a  stairway  between  the  inner  and  outer 
shells.  The  access,  however,  was  inconvenient  and  dangerous.  On  one  occa- 
sion a  lady  slipped  and  fell  upon  the  sash,  breaking  the  glass,  but  was  prevented 
from  precipitation  to  the  pavement  of  the  Rotunda  below  by  the  strength  of  the 
frame. 

The  work  on  the  Capitol  was  continued  through  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
i86i-165.  On  December  12,  1863,  at  noon,  the  statue  of  Freedom  which  sur- 
mounts the  Dome  was  placed  in  position.  The  flag  of  the  United  States  was 
unfurled  from  its  crest,  and  was  greeted  by  the  shouts  ot  thousands  of  citizens 
and  soldiers.  A  national  salute  of  thirty-five  guns  was  fired  by  a  field  battery 
in  the  E.  Park,  and  was  responded  to  by  the  great  guns  of  the  chain  of  forts 
constituting  the  defenses  of  the  threatened  capital  of  the  Nation. 

The  new  Hall  of  the  S.  Extension  was  occupied  by  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives December  16,  1857,  and  that  of  the  N.  by  the  Senate  January  4,  1859. 
The  Capitol  to  date  cost:  Main  Building  S3, 000,000 ;  Dome,  $1,000,000; 
Extensions  N.  and  S.,  #8,000,000  ;  miscellaneous,  $1,000,000.  Total,  $13,000,- 
000.  {See  description  of  the  Capitol for  details  of  its  construction ,  embellish- 
ments, and  objects  of  interest  within  its  mighty  walls. ) 


HISTORY  OF  CONGRESS. 

The  First  Continental  Congress,  Peyton  Randolph,  of  Va., 
President,  met  at  Philadelphia  in  Sept.,  1774,  all  the  colonies 
except  Georgia  being  represented.  The  British  king  and 
ministry  were  highly  incensed  at  these  u  persons,  styling 
themselves  delegates  of  his  majesty's  colonies  in  America, 
having  presumed,  without  his  majesty's  consent,  to  assemble 
together  at  Philadelphia."  A  circular  was  sent  to  ail  the 
colonial  governors,  and  every  effort  was  made,  by  threat  or 
intimidation,  to  frustrate  the  assembling  of  the  proposed 
Congress  of  1775.    The  royal  disapprobation  of  the  proceed- 


RATIFICATION  OF  CONSTITUTION. 


119 


ing  had  no  effect  whatever.  The  Congress  met  at  the  ap- 
pointed time  and  place,  and  Pe\'ton  Randolph,  of  Va.,  was 
again  chosen  President.  Since  this  gathering  the  American 
Congress,  Continental  or  General,  as  it  was  variously  styled, 
has  had  an  unbroken  line  of  succession. 

Sessions  of  the  Continental  Congress.  —  Commenced  1774, 
Sept.  5,  Philadelphia,  Penn. ;  1775,  May  10,  Philadelphia, 
Penn. ;  1776,  Dec.  29,  Baltimore,  Md. ;  1777,  March  4,  Phil- 
adelphia, Penn.;  1777,  Sept.  27,  Lancaster,  Penn.;  1777, 
Sept.  3D,  York,  Penn.;  1778.  July  2,  Philadelphia,  Penn.; 
1783,  June  30,  Princeton,  N.  J. ;  1783,  Nov.  26,  Annapolis, 
Md.;  1784,  Nov.  1,  Trenton,  N.  J.;  1783,  Jan.  11,  New 
York  City,  N.  Y.,  until  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States. 

Presidents  of  the  Continental  Congress.  1774-1788.— Pey- 
ton Randolph,  Va.,  elected  Sept.  5,  1774  ;  Henry  Middleton, 
S.  C,  Oct.  22,  1774;  Peyton  Randolph,  Va.,  May  10,  1775; 
John  Hancock,  Mass.,  May  24,  1775;  Henry  Laurens,  S.  C, 
Nov.  1,  1777;  John  Jay,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  10,  1778;  Samuel 
Huntingdon,  Conn.,  Sept.  28,  1779;  Thomas  McKean,  Del., 
July  10,  1781 ;  John  Hanson,  Md.,  Nov.  5,  1781 ;  Elias  Bou- 
dinot,  N.  J.,  Nov.  4,  1782;  Thomas  Mifflin,  Penn.,  Nov.  3, 
1783;  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Va.,  Nov.  3 J,  1784;  Nathaniel 
Gorham,  Mass.,  June  6,  1786;  Arthur  St.  Clair,  Penn.,  Feb. 
2,  1787;  Cyrus  Griffin,  Va.,  Jan.  22,  1788. 

Under  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  executed  at  Phila- 
delphia July  9,  1778,  Congress  met  annually  on  the  first 
Monday  in  November,  till  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  went  into  operation,  in  1789. 

Eatification  of  the  Constitution.— The  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  of  America  was  adopted  September  17,  1787, 
pursuant  to  a  resolution  dated  February  21, 1787,  of  the  Con- 
gress assembled  under  the  provisions  of  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation. The  ratification,  in  convention,  by  the  thirteen 
original  States,  was  as  follows:  1787,  Dec.  7,  Delaware;  1787, 
Dec.  12,  Pennsylvania ;  1787,  Dec.  18,  New  Jersey ;  1788,  Jan. 
2,  Georgia;  1788,  Jan.  9,  Connecticut;  1788,  Feb.  6,  Massa- 
chusetts ;  1788,  April  28,  Maryland ;  1788,  May  23,  South  Car- 
olina; 1788,  June  21,  New  Hampshire;  1788,  June  26,  Vir- 
ginia; 1788,  Julv26,  New  York;  1789,  Nov.  21.  North  Carolina; 
1790,  May  29,  Rhode  Island. 

The  first  Congress  wider  the  Constitution  commenced  March 
4, 1789,  held  two  sessions  in  New  York  City,  and  subsequent- 
ly met  in  Philadelphia,  Dec.  6,  1790.  For  the  next  ten  years 
the  national  capital  found  a  resting  place  on  the  veiy  spot 


120 


PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  SENATE. 


where  the  Continental  Congress  of  1776  had  given  to  the  world 
that  great  instrument  of  American  freedom  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  The  next  step  was  to  plant  itself  upon  the 
broad  waters  of  the  Potomac. 

In  June,  1800,  the  executive  branch  of  the  Government 
was  transferred  from  Philadelphia  to  the  Permanent  Seat 
of  Government,  and  future  Capital  of  the  Republic  establish- 
ed, by  the  act  of  1790.  The  6th  Congress,  2d  Session,  the 
first  which  met  in  the  City  of  Washington,  assembled  here 
on  Nov.  17,  1800,  the  third  Monday  of  Nov.,  but  failed  of  a 
quorum  of  the  Senate  till  Nov.  21,  on  which  day  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  and  House  of  Representatives 
were  notified  of  the  organization  of  that  body.  On  the  next 
clay  the  President  of  the  United  States,  John  Adams,  in 
person,  delivered  an  appropriate  address  to  the  two  Houses 
of  Congress  assembled  in  the  Senate  Chamber  of  the  Capitol. 

The  Constitution  requires  that  "Congress  shall  assemble  at 
least  once  in  every  year,  and  such  meeting  shall  be  on  the 
first  Monday  in  December,  unless  they  shall  by  law  appoint 
a  different  day."  Article  I  section  1  of  the  Constitution 
provides  that  all  legislative  powers  therein  granted  shall  be 
vested  in  a  Congress  of  the  United  States,  which  shall  consist 
of  a  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  The  Senate  is 
composed  of  two  Senators  from  each  State,  chosen  by  the 
Legislature  thereof  for  six  years ;  and  each  Senator  has  one 
vote.  The  Senate  is  divided  equally  into  three  classes,  so 
that  one  third  may  be  chosen  every  second  year,  the  senato- 
rial term  of  a  class  always  beginning  with  a  new  Congress. 
The  Senate  has  advisory  as  well  as  legislative  powers.  Pres- 
ent number  74. 

Presidents  of  the  Senate, — (Vice  Presidents  of  the  United 
States. ,)— 1789,  1-4  Congress,  John  Adams,  Mass. ;  1797,  5-6, 
Thomas  Jefferson,  Va. ;  1801,  7-8,  Aaron  Burr,  N.Y. ;  1805, 
9-12,  George  Clinton,  N.  Y. ;  1813,  13-14,  Elbridge  Gerry, 
Mass. ;  1817,  15-18,  D.  D.  Tompkins,  N.  Y. ;  1825,  19-22,  J. 
C.  Calhoun,  S.  C. ;  1833,  23-24,  Martin  Van  Buren,  N.  Y. ; 
1837,  25-26,  R.  M.  Johnson,  Ky. ;  1841,  27,  John  Tyler,  Va. ; 
1843,  28,  vacant;  1845,  29-30,  G.  M.  Dallas,  Penn. ;  1849, 
31,  Millard  Fillmore,  1ST.  Y. ;  1851,  32,  vacant;  1853,  33-34, 
W.  R.  King,  1  mo.,  Ala,;  1853,  33-34,  vacant;  1857,  35-36, 
John  C.  Breckinridge,  Ky. ;  1861,  37-38,  H.  Hamlin,  Me. ; 
1865,  39-40,  A.  Johnson,  Tenn. ;  1867,  40,  vacant;  1869, 41-42, 
Schuyler  Colfax,  Ind. ;  1873,  43,  Henry  Wilson,  Mass. 

The  House  of  Representatives  is  composed  of  member.* 
chosen  every  second  year  b}^  the  people  of  the  several  States, 
and  are  apportioned  according  to  their  respective  population. 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 


121 


Representation,  293  members,  10  delegates,  viz :  Alabama, 
8 ;  Arkansas,  4 ;  California,  4 ;  Connecticut  4 ;  Delaware,  1 ; 
Florida,  2;  Georgia,  9;  Illinois,  19;  Indiana,  13;  Iowa,  9; 
Kansas,  3 ;  Kentucky  10 ;  Louisiana,  6 ;  Maine,  5  ;  Maryland, 
6  ;  Massachusetts,  11 ;  Michigan,  9  ;  Minnesota,  3 ;  Mississip- 
pi, 6 ;  Missouri,  13 ;  Nebraska,  1 ;  Nevada,  1 ;  New  Hamp- 
shire 3 ;  New  Jersey,  7 ;  New  York,  33 ;  North  Carolina,  8 ; 
Ohio,  20 ;  Oregon,  1 ;  Pennsylvania,  27 ;  Rhode  Island,  2  ; 
South  Carolina,  5;  Tennessee,  10;  Texas,  6;  Vermont,  3; 
Virginia,  9 ;  West  Virginia,  3 ;  Wisconsin,  8 ;  and  one  dele- 
gate from  each  of  the  Territories  of  Arizona,  Colorada,  Dako- 
ta, District  of  Columbia,  Idaho,  Montana,  New  Mexico,  Utah, 
Washington,  and  Wyoming.  Delegates  may  propose  mea- 
sures relating  to  their  own  Territory,  but  have  no  vote. 

Speakers  of  the  House  of  Representatives. — 1789,  1st  Con- 
gress, F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  Penn.;  1791,  2,  Jonathan  Trum- 
bull, Conn.;  1793,  3,  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  Penn.;  1795,  4-5, 
Jonathan  Dayton,  N.  J. ;  1799,  6,  Theodore  Sedgwick,  Mass. ; 
1801,  7-9,  Nathaniel  Macon,  N.  C. ;  1807,  10-11,  Joseph  B. 
Varnum,  Mass.;  1811,  12-13,  Henry  Clay,  Ky. ;  1813,  13, 
Langdon  Cheves,  S.  C. ;  1815, 14-16,  Henry  Clay,  Ky. ;  1819, 
16,  John  W.  Taylor,  N.  Y. ;  1821, 17,  Philip  B.  Barbour,  Va. ; 
1823,  18,  Henry  Clay,  Ky. ;  1825,  19,  John  W.  Taylor,  N. 
Y.;  1827,  20-23,  Andrew  Stevenson,  Va.;  1835,  24,  John 
Bell.,  Tenn. ;  1837,  25-26,  James  K.  Polk,  Tenn. ;  1841,  27, 
R.  M.  T.  Hunter,  Va. ;  27,  John  White,  Ky. ;  1843,  28,  John 
W.  Jones,  Va. ;  1845,  29,  J.  W.  Davis,  Ind. ;  1847,  30,  R.  C. 
Winthrop,  Mass. ;  1849,  31,  Howell  Cobb,  Ga, ;  1851,  32-33, 
Linn  Boyd,  Ky. ;  1855,  34,  N.  P.  Banks,  Mass. ;  1857,  35 
James  L.  Orr,  S.  C. ;  1859,  36,  W.  Pennington,  N.  J. ;  1861, 
37,  Galusha  A.  Grow,  Penn. ;  1863,  38-40,  Schuyler  Colfax, 
Ind. ;  1869.  41-43,  J.  G.  Blaine,  Me. 


122 


president's  house. 


PRESIDENT'S  HOUSE. 

The  official  residence  of  the  President  of  the  United  States 
of  America  stands  o*i  the  W.  plateau  of  the  city,  1J  m.  from 
the  Capitol.  In  the  early  official  plans  and  documents  it  is 
designated  the  President' s  Ilouse^  but  has  been  since  styled 
the  Executive  Mansion,  and  popularly  the  "White  House." 
The  Pennsylvania-av.  street  cars  pass  in  front. 

Grounds. — The  edifice  is  situated  near  the  N.  limit  of  Res- 
ervation No.  1,  known  as  the  President's  Grounds,  revised 
measurement,  SOf  a.  The  private  grounds  consist  of  about 
20  a.  On  the  E.,  about  450  ft.  distant,  is  the  Treasury  De- 
partment, and  on  the  W.  are  the  Departments  of  State,  War, 
and  Navy.  Between  these  buildings  and  the  President's 
House  is  Executive  av.  In  front  a  broad  av.,  from  15th  to  17th 
sts.  \V.,  separates  the  N.  Park  from  Lafayette  Square.  Two 
gateways,  connected  by  a  semi-circular  drive  and  footwalk, 
lead  to  the  N.  portico.  This  portion  of  the  grounds  is  laid  out 
in  walks  and  parterres,  with  a  fountain  in  the  centre.  The 
grounds  S.  are  divided  by  the  semi-circular  extension  of  Ex- 
ecutive av.  That  part  within  the  enclosure  is  private,  and  is 
adorned  with  lawns,  walks,  trees,  flowers,  and  a  fountain.  On 
every  Saturday  afternoon  during  the  summer  the  Marine  Band 
plays  in  these  grounds.  To  the  SW.  are  the  President's  Sta- 
bles. The  broad  avenue  running  S.  connects  with  the  drive 
on  the  Mall. 

The  Building,— The  President's  House  (E.  Boom  open  to 
visitors  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  10  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.) 
built  of  freestone  painted  white,  is  170  ft.  long  by  86  ft.  wide, 
two  stories  high,  broken  by  pilasters  of  the  order,  and  crowned 
with  a  balustrade.  On  the  N.  is  a  grand  portico,  supported 
on  8  Ionic  columns,  with  corresponding  pilasters  in  the  rear, 
affording  a  shelter  for  carriages  and  pedestrians.  The  S.  front 
is  adorned  with  a  lofty  semi-circidar  colonnade  of  G  columns, 
of  the  same  style  as  the  N.,  resting  on  a  rustic  basement,  and 
reached  by  2  flights  of  steps.  On  the  W.  are  the  Conservato- 
ries. The  general  style  is  a  modification  of  the  residence  of 
the  Duke  of  Lienster,  Dublin.  The  main  door  on  the  N. 
opens  into  a  spacious  vestibule  or  entrance  hall,  40  ft.  front  by 
50  ft.  deep.  A  sash  screen  divides  the  entrance  hall  into  two 
unequal  parts,  The  entrance  hall  is  frescoed  overhead.  The 
medallions  on  either  side  of  the  beautiful  crystal  chandelier 
are  canvas,  by  Brumidi.  On  the  walls,  within  the  screen,  are 
portraits  of  Presidents  John  Adams,  Van  Buren,  Tyler,  Polkr 
Fillmore,  and  Pierce,  by  Healy,  purchased  under  act  of  1857. 


124 


president's  house. 


The  Washington  is  by  Stuart.  During1  the  invasion  of  the 
British  one  of  the  colored  servants  of  President  Madison  cut 
this  picture  from  the  frame,  and  in  the  flight  of  the  Presi- 
dent's household  carried  it  to  Tennallytown,  thus  saving  it 
from  destruction.  The  portrait  of  Lincoln,  by  Cogswell, 
was  purchased  in  1869.  The  small  door  on  the  r.  opens  into 
the  Waiting  Room,  and  the  corresponding  door  on  the  1. 
into  a  passage  at  the  foot  of  the  public  stairway  to  the  Ante 
Room.  This  passage  is  also  used  for  the  Marine  Band,  when 
performing  at  receptions.  Across  the  passage  is  the  East, 
originally  designed  for  the  Banqueting  Room,  and  still  so 
used  since  1837 — a  beautiful  apartment,  80  ft.  by  40  ft.,  and 
22  ft.  high.  The  style  of  decoration  is  pure  Greek,  done  in 
1873.  The  ceiling  is  divided  into  three  panels,  the  centre 
varied  in  pattern,  and  all  painted  in  oil.  The  walls  are 
raised  paper,  gilded,  and  painted  a  drab  gray.  The  wood- 
work throughout,  including  dado,  columns,  pilasters,  gir- 
ders, cornice,  and  carved  mantel-pieces,  are  in  white  and 
gold.  There  are  four  mirrors  on  the  side  walls,  and  two  at 
either  end.  The  furniture  and  hangings  of  the  windows  are 
in  keeping.    The  rest  of  the  first  floor  is  private. 

The  centre  door  within  the  screen  opens  into  the  Oval,  or 
Blue-Room,  40  by  30  ft.,  a  brilliant  apartment,  beautifully 
finished  in  blue  and  gold.  The  chandelier  is  crystal,  fitted 
with  a  reflector.  On  the  mantel  are  a  pair  of  French  vases 
of  superior  design  and  workmanship.  In  this  room  the  Pres- 
ident receives  diplomatic  ministers  accredited  to  the  United 
States  and  presented  for  the  first  time.  The  President  and 
wife  also  receive  the  people  here  on  public  occasions. 

On  theE.,  through  a  door,  is  the  Green  Room,  opening  into 
E.  Room,  and  on  the  W.  the  Red  Room,  opening  into  the 
State  Dining  Room,  40  by  30  ft.,  with  a  dining  table  for  36 
covers,  and  suitable  table  ornaments.  The  Green  and  Red 
Rooms  are  30  by  20  ft.,  and  tastefully  furnished.  The  Red 
Room  is  also  the  family  parlor.  On  the  mantel-piece  is  a  fine 
gilt  clock  and  pair  of  French  vases,  one  with  a  representa- 
tion of  the  residence  of  Franklin  at  Passy,  and  the  other 
showing  the  environs  of  Passy.  At  the  W.  end  of  the  corri- 
dor are  the  Billiard  Room  and  large  Conservatory.  In  the 
NW.  corner,  across  the  corridor,  are  the  private  dining  room, 
butler's  pantry,  and  private  stairs. 

On  the  second  floor,  the  E.  part  of  the  building  is  occu- 
pied by  the  Executive  Office  and  Ante  Room,  the  latter  reached 
by  the  public  staircase  through  the  door  on  the  r.  The  Pres- 
idents Office,  or  Cabinet  Room,  is  a  fine  apartment  on  the  S. 
side,  opposite  the  S.  door  of  the  passage,  at  the  head  of  the 
public  stairway,  and  looks  out  upon  the  S.  portico.  Adjoin- 


PREslDEiNT'tS  HOUSE. 


125 


ing  is  the  library,  used  also  as  a  family  sitting  room,  and  en- 
tered by  a  private  door.  The  private  portions  of  the  second 
floor  are  on  the  W.  side,  shut  off  from  the  E.,  and  consist  of 
seven  sleeping  apartments. 

In  the  basement  are  the  servants'  quarters,  kitchens,  store- 
rooms, and  vaults  for  fuel. 

For  formalities  and  receptions,  see  General  Information — 
Etiquette. 


PRESIDENT'S  HOUSE — SOUTH  FRONT. 


History  — The  President's  House,  or  44  Palace,"  so  styled  in  the  earlier  doc- 
uments, was  the  first  of  the  public  buildings  erected.  On  March  14,  1792,  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  city  advertised  for  plans  for  a  President's  House  and  Capitol.  On 
July  16,  1792,  these  were  examined  at  Georgetown.  The  first  premium  of  $500  waa 
awarded  to  James  Hoban,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  for  the  plan  of  a  President's  House. 
On  Oct.  13,  1792,  the  Commissioners,  accompanied  by  the  Freemasons,  architects, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  Washington  and  Georgetown,  marched  in  procession  to  the 
site  selected  for  the  President's  House,  and  there,  with  appropriate  and  solemn 
ceremonies,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  that  structure. 

The  work  was  conducted  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Hoban,  the  architect,  and 
was  prosecuted  under  the  same  difficulties  which  surrounded  the  Capitol.  Mr. 
Weld,  an  English  traveler,  writing  in  1795,  alludes  to  the  building  as  the  finest  in 
the  country,  and  much  extolled  by  the  people  ;  stating  that  persons  found  fault  with 
it  as  being  too  large  and  too  splendid  for  the  residence  of  any  person  in  a  republican 
country;  and,  to  use  his  own  words,  14  certainly  it  is  a  ridiculous  habitation  for  a 
man  who  receives  a  salary  that  amounts  to  no  more  than  £5,625  per  annum,  and 
in  a  country  where  the  expenses  of  living  are  far  greater  than  they  are  even  in 
London." 

The  first  President  to  occupy  the  building  was  John  Adams,  who  took  possession 
in  Nov.,  1800,  after  the  removal  of  the  public  offices  to  the  permanent  Seat  of  Gov- 
ernment. Previous  to  that  time  the  Executive  of  the  United  States  was  without  a 
home  owned  by  the  nation.  In  New  York  and  Philadelphia  rented  houses  were 
occupied.    The  building  up  to  1814  had  cost  $311,107. 

The  President's  House  was  destroyed  by  the  British  in  1814.  After  the  evacua- 
tion the  President  occupied  a  fine  residence  on  the  corner  of  New  York  av.  and  18th 


126 


president's  house. 


st.  NW.,  known  as  the  "Octagon,"  and  now  used  by  the  hydrographf?office  of  the 
Navy  Department.  In  1815  Congress  authorized  the  restoration  of  the  Prestdent's 
House,  which  was  done  by  Hoban,  the  original  architect.  It  was  not  agc*n  ready, 
however,  till  after  1818  In  1823  the  S.  portico,  in  1826  the  East  Room,  and  in 
1829  the  N.  portico  were  finished.  Since  that  time  the  interior  of  the  structure  has 
been  subject  to  frequent  renovations  and  repairs.  It  is  entirely  unsuitable,  how- 
ever, for  the  purposes  to  which  it  is  now  applied  :  executive  offices  and  private  res- 
idence. Congress  has  now  under  consideration  a  proposition  to  erect  a  suitable  and 
exclusively  private  mansion  in  the  suburbs  of  the  capital  for  the  residence  of  the 
President's  household,  and  the  conversion  of  the  present  building  into  execu- 
tive offices.  The  total  appropriations  for  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  the  Pres- 
ident's House  from  1800  to  date  amounts  to  $1,700,000. 


the  president's  house,  1840,— (from  an  old  print.) 


Presidents  of  the  United  States.— I,  George  Washington, 
Va.,  1789-1797 ;  2,  John  Adams,  Mass.,  1797-1801 ;  3,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  Va.,  1801-1809 ;  4,  James  Madison,  Va.,  1809-1817 ; 
5,  James  Monroe,  Va.,  1817-1825;  6,  John  Qnincy  Adams, 
Mass.,  1825-1829;  7,  Andrew  Jockson,  Tenn.,  1829-1837; 
8,  Martin  Van  Bnren,  1ST.  Y.,  1837-1841;  9,  William  Henry 
Harrison,  Ohio,  1841,  1  mo.;  10,  John  Tyler,  Va.,  1841- 
1845;  11,  James  K.  Polk,  Tenn.,  1845-1849;  12,  Zachary 
Taylor,  La.,  1849-1850;  13,  Millard  Fillmore,  X.  Y.,  1850- 
1853;  14,  Franklin  Pierce,  N.  H.,  1853-1857;  15,  James 
Buchanan,  Penn.,  1857-1861;  1G,  Abraham  Lincoln,  111., 
1861-1865;  17,  Andrew  Johnson,  Tenn.,  1865-1869;  18, 
Ulysses  S.  Grant,  111.,  1869-187-. 


president's  house. 


127 


The  Executive. — The  executive  power,  under  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States,  is  vested  in  a  President  elected  for 
4  years,  and  a  Vice  President  chosen  for  the  same  term.  The 
President  is  chosen  by  electors  in  each  State,  equal  to  the 
whole  number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  of  such  State. 
The  electors  are  voted  for  by  the  people  of  the  State.  JSTo  per- 
son except  a  natural-born  citizen  of  the  United  States,  having 
attained  to  the  age  of  35  years,  is  eligible  to  the  office.  The 
Vice  President,  who  is  elected  in  the  same  manner,  succeeds 
in  event  of  the  removal,  death,  resignation,  or  incapacity  of 
the  President.  The  third  in  the  line  of  succession  is  fixed  by 
Congress.  The  executive  has  no  powers  except  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  legislative  branch.  The  inauguration  of  a 
President  of  the  United  States  takes  place  on  the  4th  day  of 
March  after  his  election ;  or  if  the  regular  day  comes  on  Sun- 
day, then  the  day  following.  ISTo  formal  ceremony  is  required, 
save  to  take  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Constitution.  Usage 
has  imposed  upon  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  the 
solemn  duty  of  administering  the  oath. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE. 

The  Department  of  State,  [open  daily  from  9J  a.  m.  to  2J 
p.  m.,  except  Thursdays,  devoted  exclusively  to  the  diplomatic 
corps,  and  Saturdays,  during  sessions  of  Congress,  to  members,) 
occupies  the  S.  pavilion  of  the  imposing  edifice,  immedi- 
ately W.  of  the  President's  House. 

The  Building: — This  vast  structure,  erected  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Departments  of  State,  War  and  Navy, 
designed  by  A.  B.  Mullett,  Supervising  Architect  of  the 
Treasury,  consists  of  three  harmonious  buildings  united  by 
connecting  wings,  and  together  forming  in  design  and  exe- 
cution, the  finest  edifice  of  the  kind  in  the  world. 

The  style  is  the  Roman  Doric  (Italian  Renaissance), 
originally  treated.  It  combines  the  massive  proportions  of 
ancient  with  the  elegance  of  modern  architecture.  The 
dimensions  from  N.  to  S.,  including  pavilion  projections  and 
steps,  are  567  ft.,  and  from  E.  to  W.  342  ft.,  or  exclusive  of 
projections,  471  ft.  N.  and  S.  and  253  ft.  E.  and  W.  The 
greatest  height  from  the  terrace  level  over  all  is  128  ft. 
There  is  a  sub-basement  and  basement  of  Maine  granite,  and 


128 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE. 


superstructure  of  Virginia  granite,  comprising  four  stories  in 
the  pavilions  of  the  N.  and  S.  facades,  and  one  in  the  roof, 
and  five  stories  and  one  in  the  roof  in  the  E.  and  W.  cen- 
tre pavilions.  The  whole  is  crowned  by  an  artistically  de- 
signed mansard  roof.  The  building  was  commenced  in  1871. 
and  the  S.  pavilion  finished  and  occupied  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  State  in  1875.  The  entire  structure  has  150 
rooms,  and  cost  $5,000,000. 

The  building  has  four  facades  of  equal  importance,  the  N. 
and  S.,  and  the  E.  and  W.  being  respectively  counterparts. 
There  are  two  courts  into  which  there  are  four  private  car- 
riage ways  from  the  E.  and  W.  The  E.  and  VV.  facades  pre- 
sent the  appearance  of  a  centre  and  two  lateral  wings. 
The  centre  is  connected  with  the  N.  and  S.  by  twTo  wings. 
There  are  four  grand  entrances  by  the  N.,  S.  and,  E.  W.  centres 
of  the  pavilions  approached  by  massive  flights  of  steps 
through  the  projecting  porticoes.  The  platforms  are  of  im- 
mense blocks  of  granite,  weighing  over  20  tons  each.  There 
are  four  other  entrances  of  less  importance.  The  building 
is  absolutely  fire-proof.  All  the  stone  was  dressed  in  the 
quarries.  The  sub-basement  is  devoted  to  storage,  fur- 
naces and  engines,  the  basement  to  bindery,  storage  and 
clerks'  rooms.  The  remaining  stories  are  divided  into 
splendid  apartments,  for  the  uses  of  the  various  bureaus  of 
the  Department. 

Objects  of  Interest : — A  grand  corridor  traverses  the  building 
from  E.  to  W.,  and  is  intersected  from  the  S.  grand  entrance  by  a  spacious 
hall.  Opposite  is  a  passenger  elevator.  On  the  left  is  an  ante-room  On 
the  second  floor,  S.  side,  over-looking  the  Potomac,  is  The  Reception  Room 
(4  and  6),  a  sumptuous  salon,  open  (when  not  in  use)  except  on  Thursdays; 
decorated  in  the  Germanized  Egyptian  style,  in  distemper  with  Marquetry 
floor,  and  furnishings  of  ebonized  wood  and  gold  brocade.  Here  is  a  beautiful 
silver  Urn,  presented  by  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  in  1812,  to  Captain  Isaac 
Hull,  of  the  U.  S,  frigate  Constitution,  for  his  victory  over  the  British  ship 
Guerriere,  August  19,  1812  ;  also  a  brace  of  pistols  and  a  gold-mounted  sword, 
to  the  same,  from  citizens  of  Connecticut.  The  room  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
(12),  adjoining  on  the  E  ,  is  chastely  tinted.  The  rooms  of  the  Assistant  Secre- 
taries and  Chief  Clerk  are  on  the  same  range.  The  Diplomatic  ante-room  (1) 
is  also  delicately  tinted.  On  the  third  story,  over  the  S.  entrance,  is  the  Li- 
brary. The  alcoves,  arranged  in  four  tiers,  are  entirely  of  iron.  Over  head  is 
a  glass  canopy.  The  library  is  the  most  complete  and  valuable,  in  works  of 
diplomacy,  on  this  continent. 

In  the  department  are  the  original  rolls  of  all  the  laws  of  the  United  States 
and  the  Diplomatic  and  Consular  archives,  including  treaties,  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  Government.  There  are  also  othe  r  documents  of  historic  value, 
principally  the  original  drafts  of  the  old  Revolutionary  documents,  the  Federal 
Constitution,  Washington  s  Commission  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Ameri- 
can troops  during  the  Revolution,  and  the  Andre  papers.  The  day  before  the 
occupation  of  the  city  by  the  British,  John  Graham,  Stephen  Pleasanton  and 
Josiah  King,  clerks  in  the  department,  carried  these,  with  many  other  valuable 
documents,  to  a  place  of  safety  across  the  Potomac.  The  treaties  and  other 
records  are  preserved  in  the  room  of  the  Keeper  of  Rolls.  Until  1873  the  more 
interesting  treaties  were  shown  to  the  public,  but  the  valuable  seals  of  some  of 


130 


DEPARTMENT  UF  STATE. 


them  having  been  stolen  by  a  subordinate  of  the  depat ^ment,  they  have  since 
been  placed  away  for  gre-ater  security  The  files  of  American  Newspapers* 
from  1 781,  are  the  most  extensive  and  complete  in  existence. 

The  columns,  pilasters,  casings  and  beams  in  the  corridors  are  of  iron,  the 
doors  throughout  are  of  Honduras  Mahogany.  The  spacious  stairways  at 
either  end  of  the  corridors  are  of  granite,  with  exquisite  bronze  balusters  ;  over 
head  is  a  ..tucco  canopy.  There  is  an  electric  clock  on  each  floor.  The  floors 
are  of  white  Vermont  and  black  Pennsylvania  marbles. 

Secretaries  0/  State — 1789,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.;  1794,  Edmund  Ran- 
dolph, Va.;  1795,  Timothy  Pickering,  Mass.;  1800,  John  Marshall,  Va.;  1801, 
James  Madison,  Va.;  1809,  Robert  Smith,  Md.;  1811,  James  Monroe,  Va.; 
1817,  John  Q.  Adams,  Mass.;  1825,  Henry  Clay  Ky.;  1829,  Martin  Van  Buren, 
N.  Y.;  1831,  Edward  Livingston,  La.;  1833,  Louis  McLane,  Del.;  1834,  John 
Forsyth,  Ga.:  1841,  Daniel  Webster,  Mass.;  1843,  Hugh  S.  Legare,  S.  C;  1843, 

A.  P.  Upshur,  Va.;  1844,  Jonn  Nelson,  Md.;  1844,  J.  C.  Calhoun.  S.  C;  1845, 
James  Buchanan,  Penn.;  1849,  J-  M;  Clayton,  Del.;  1850,  Daniel  Webster, 
Mass.;  1852,  Edward  Everett,  Mass.;  1853,  W.  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y.;  1857,  Lewis 
Cass,  Mich.;  i860  Jer.  S.  Black,  Penn.;  1861,  W.  H.  Seward,  N.  Y.;  1869,  E. 

B.  Washburne,  111.;  1869,  Hamilton  Fish,  N.  Y. 

History  of  the  Department. — Before  the  adoption  of-  the  Constitji- 
tion  of  the  United  States  the  '  Department  of  Foreign  Affairs"  was  under  the 
direction  of  an  officer  styled  u  Secretary  to  the  United  States  of  America  for  tile 
Department  of  Foreign  Affairs,"  who  was  required  to  "  reside  where  Congress  or 
a  committee  of  the  States  should  sit,"  and  held  his  office  during  the  pleasure  pi 
Congress.  On  July  27,  1789,  after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  the  office 
was  created  an  executive  department,  to  be  known  as  the  Department  of  For- 
eign Affairs,  and  the  head  as  the  14  Secretary  for  the  Department  of  Foreign 
Affairs."  On  September  15,  1789,  the  name  was  changed  to  Department  jot 
State,  and  the  chief  officer  designated  Secretary  0/  State.  The  Secretary  -is 
ex  officio  a  member  of  the  Cabinet  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
carries  out  his  instructions,  "agreeable  to  the  Constitution,"  in  all  matters  re- 
lating to  diplomatic  intercourse  with  foreign  nations.  Under  this  general  pro- 
vision he  is  specially  charged  with  the  negotiation  of  all  treaties  with  foreign 
Powers,  and  conducts  all  official  correspondence  with  the  diplomatic  repre- 
sentatives of  foreign  governments  resident  in  the  United  States,  and  with  the 
diplomatic  officers  and  consuls  of  the  United  States  abroad,  and  grants  pass- 
ports to  citizens  ot  the  United  States  leaving  the  country.  He  is  the  custodian 
of  the  seal  of  the  United  States,  being  governed  in  its  use  by  the  orders  of  the 
President.  He  also  prepares  and  attests  the  commissions  granted  to  all  officers 
confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and  superintends  the  publication  of  all  acts  and  reso- 
lutions of  Congress,  and  foreign  and  Indian  treaties,  and  preserves  the  originals 
of  the  same. 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


131 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 

The  Treasury  Department  (open  to  the  public  daily,  except 
Sunday,  from  9  a.  m.  to  2  p.  m.)  lies  E.  of  the  President's 
House,  on  the  line  of  15th  St.,  and  may  be  reached  from  the 
E.  or  W.  by  the  Pennsylvania-av.  line  of  street  cars. 

Description  of  the  Building.— The  general  plan  of  the 
building  measures  468  ft.  from  to  S..  and  264  ft.  from  E. 
to  W.,  or,  inclusive  of  porticos  and  steps,  582  ft.  by  300  ft. 
The  order  is  pure  Grecian  Ionic,  the  columns  and  pilasters 
running  through  three  stories,  above  which  is  an  attic,  and 
below  two  stories  in  a  basement,  the  lower  one  of  rustic 
work.  The  sky-line  of  the  entire  building  is  surmounted  by 
a  stone  balustrade.  The  building  has  four  fronts.  The  W., 
which  faces  the  city,  consists  of  a  colonnade  336  ft.  long  and 
30  Ionic  columns,  flanked  on  either  side  by  a  recessed  portico. 
The  colonnade  and  corresponding  portion  are  of  Virginia 
freestone. 

The  rest  of  the  entire  structure  is  granite,  from  Dix  island, 
on  the  coast  of  Maine.  The  E.  front,  facing  the  President's 
House,  is  broken  by  a  grand  central  portico,  consisting  of  8 
monolithic  pillars  front,  and  2  in  the  recess  in  the  centre, 
and  the  same  in  the  recesses  on  either  side.  This  portico  is 
reached  by  a  broad  flight  of  steps.  At  either  end,  on  the  same 
line,  are  two  small  porticos,  corresponding  with  those  on  the 
W.  side.  The  £T.  and  S.  fronts  are  the  same,  consisting  of  a 
central  portico  with  8  columns  front,  and  2  in  the  recess. 
Steps  descend  to  a  broad  tessellated  platform,  bounded  on 
either  side  by  a  balustrade.  The  platform  on  the  N".  front  is 
below  the  level  of  the  avenue.  A  beautiful  fountain  adds  to 
the  attractions  of  this  front.  On  the  S.  the  same  platform 
stands  a  few  feet  above  the  level,  which  gives  a  very  impos- 
ing effect.  The  shafts  of  all  the  columns  in  the  extension 
are  monolithic,  31J  ft.  high,  4  ft.  in  diameter,  and  weigh  33 
tons.  The  pilasters  are  also  single  blocks  of  the  same  height, 
and  weigh  6  tons.  The  cap-stones  of  the  blockings,  against 
which  the  steps  abut,  measure  each  18  ft.  Xl7  ft.x20  in.,  and 
weigh  43  tons.  The  sills,  piers,  and  cornice  are  of  very  fine 
design  and  workmanship.  On  the  E.,  N".,  and  S.,  on  either 
side  of  the  steps  and  platforms,  are  beautiful  parterres,  in 
summer  filled  with  flowers  and  ornamental  shrubs.  The 
building  has  4  principal  entrances  on  a  line  with  the  order, 
and  3  in  the  basement  on  the  W.  front.  The  interior  arrange- 
ment of  the  plan  consists  of  2  hollow  squares,  separated  by  a 
wing  57  ft.  wide,  and,  exclusive  of  the  main  building,  120  ft. 


132 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


deep,  projecting  W.  These  squares  measure  each  138  ft.  by 
123  ft.  The  old  portion  of  the  present  building,  erected  part- 
ly on  the  same  site  after  the  destruction  of  its  predecessor, 
the  S.  E.  executive  building,  in  March,  1833,  was  designed 


— 1  styl 

the  Temple  of  Minerva  Pallas  at  Athens.  In  order  to  secure 
a  uniformity  of  fronts,  it  is  proposed  to  take  down  the  colon- 
nade on  the  YV.  and  replace  it  with  a  facade  corresponding 
with  that  on  the  E.  This  would  necessitate  the  acquisition 
of  a  portion  of  the  square  opposite.  In  1855  the  extension 
was  designed  by  Walter,  and  begun  by  Young,  continued 
by  Eogcrs,  and  finished  by  Mullett.  The  W.  entrance  is 
reached  by  a  double  flight  of  steps,  into  a  vestibule  formed 
of  6  Doric  columns,  supporting  groined  arches.  In  the  cen- 
tre is  the  main  corridor,  dividing  the  building  into  two  parts, 
and  leading  to  the  E.  vestibule  and  entrance.    On  the  r.  and 


i 

lifflB 

HI 

1 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


1.  are  corridors  to  the  wings.  A  double  stairway  to  the  base- 
ment and  the  upper  stories  springs  from  this  vestibule.  There 
are  also  stairways  in  each  angle  and  opposite  the  E.  entrance. 
The  vestibules  of  the  1ST.  and  TV.  entrances  are  chastely  de- 
signed, supported  on  iron  columns.  The  corridors  of  the 
extension  are  broken  by  iron  pilasters,  and  the  capitals,  cor- 
nice, and  ceilings  are  ornamented  with  emblematic  designs. 
The  entrance  on  the  S.  front  opens  directty  into  the  S.  corri- 
dor. The  building  contains  195  rooms,  in  addition  to  those  in 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


133 


the  sab-basement  devoted  to  heating  apparatus,  shops,  and 
store-rooms,  and  the  attic,  occupied  by  the  Bureau  of  Engrav- 
ing and  Printing.    Cost,  $6, 000,000. 

The  Secretaries  room  is  on  the  second  floor,  W.  corridor,  a 
little  S.  of  the  central  corridor,  name  over  the  door.  The  ob- 
jects of  special  interest  in  the  building  are  the  Cash  Room  and 
the  Vaults.  The  business  entrance  to  the  Cash  Room  is  on  the 
first  floor,  IS",  corridor,  reached  from  the  W.  door,  turning  to 
the  r„  or  from  the  vestibule  of  the  N.  entrance.  The  public 
should  view  the  room  from  the  balcony,  entered  by  a  door  on 
the  S.  side  of  the  IS",  corridor  on  the  second  floor.  The  par- 
ticular features  of  the  room  are  the  walls,  which  are  of  highly 
polished  marbles  of  various  varieties.  List  of  marbles:  Low- 
er Story — stylobate,  base,  black,  Vermont ;  mouldings, 
Bardiglio,  Italian :  stiles,  dove,  Vermont ;  panels,  Sienna, 
Italian;  dies,  Tennessee.  Above  stylobate,  pilasters 
and  panel  beads,  white  veined ;  stiles,  Sienna,  Italian ;  panels, 
Bardiglio,  Italian ;  cornice,  white-veined,  Italian.  Upper 
Story — stylobate  same  as  lower.  Above  stylobate  as  in 
lower  story,  except  the  panels,  which  are  Sarrangolum  mar- 
ble from  the  Pyrenees. 

The  vaults,  in  which  the  current  funds  of  the  Government 
are  kept,  may  be  seen  on  a  written  permit  from  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  States,  whose  office  is  in  the  NE.  angle  of  the 
building,  first  floor.  This  permit  should  be  delivered  to  the 
Cashier,  who  occupies  the  room  entered  by  the  first  door  W. 
of  the  entrance  to  the  General  Cash  Room.  The  vaults  are 
of  steel  and  chilled  iron,  about  20  by  15  ft.  Another  of  the 
same  capacity  is  overhead.  The  amount  usually  in  the  vault 
is  about  $1 0,000,000,  including  gold  coin.  The  money  is  kept 
in  packages  or  bags  in  the  wooden  cases.  Near  the  door  of  the 
vault  is  an  elevator,  used  for  conveying  money  between  the 
vaults  above  and  the  express  office  immediately  below.  As 
much  as  $5,000,000  have  been  shipped  to  the  different  sub- 
treasuries  in  a  single  day.  The  vault  in  which  the  national 
bank  bonds  are  kept  is  on  the  same  floor,  near  by.  It  may  be 
seen  in  the  same  manner  as  that  just  mentioned,  the  permit 
being  delivered  to  the  Chief  of  the  Division  of  National 
Banks,  whose  office  is  in  the  NW.  angle  of  the  building.  In 
the  basement  are  two  reserve  vaults,  not  open  to  visitors  at  all. 

On  the  r.  side  of  the  W.  corridor,  after  leaving  the  Cash 
Room,  the  operation  of  counting  the  currency  may  be  seen 
through  any  of  the  doorways.  None  but  employees  are  per- 
mitted to  enter.  The  counting  is  done  entirely  by  lady 
clerks.  The  facility  and  accuracy  with  which  their  nimble 
fingers  accomplish  the  work  are  not  only  marvelous,  but 
extremely  creditable  to  their  skill.    It  may  also  be  said,  with 


134 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


respect  to  this  class  of  employees  of  the  Government,  that 
they  possess  many  qualifications  of  a  very  superior  character. 

In  the  rooms  of  the  Redemption  Division,  in  the  N.  corri- 
dor of  the  basement,  the  currency  unfit  for  circulation,  and 
received  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  is  counted  and  can- 
celled previous  to  being  burned.  The  routine  observed  from 
the  receipt  of  the  money  from  the  express  company  till  its 
final  destruction  is  extremely  interesting.  The  cancelling  is 
done  by  a  machine  run  by  means  of  a  turbine  wheel.  In  or- 
der to  witness  the  operation,  it  will  be  necessary  to  obtain  a 
permit  from  the  Treasurer,  the  same  as  for  a  visit  to  the  vaults. 

The  Bureaus  of  the  Treasury  Department  proper  are  Ap- 
pointment, Warrant,  Independent  Treasury,  Customs,  Rev- 
enue Marine,  Navigation,  Internal  Revenue,  Stationery, 
Captured  and  Abandoned  Property,  Special  Agent,  Super- 
vising Architect,  Marine  Hospital,  Supervising  Inspector 
General  of  Steamboats,  Statistics,  Mint,  Mail. Records  and 
Files,  Loans,  Currency,  Engraving  and  Printing,  Light- 
House  Board,  Comptrollers,  Commissioner  of  Customs, 
Auditors,  Treasurer's  Office,  Register's  Office,  Comptroller 
of  the  Currency,  and  Commissioner  of  Internal  Revenue. 
The  service  outside  of  the  Department  consists  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Treasury,  Mints,  Assay  Offices,  Depositories,  Cus- 
toms, Internal  Revenue,  Life-saving  Station,  Light  House, 
Marine  Hospital,  Revenue  Marine,  Special  Agents  and  Com- 
missioners, Steamboat  Inspection,  and  Coast  Survey. 

The  Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing  is  in  the  attic,  at 
the  head  of  the  1.  flight  of  steps  leading  up  from  the  W.  en- 
trance. Visitors  are  admitted  on  Tuesdays  and  Thursdays, 
from  9.30  to  10.30  a.  in.,  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Bureau.  In  these  rooms  are  presses  and  other  machin- 
ery for  the  final  printing  on  United  States  bonds  and  other 
securities  and  notes,  fractional  currency,  and  internal  reve- 
nue stamps.  The  preliminaiy  printing,  as  the  backs,  is  done 
outside.  The  engraving  for  the  final  printing  is  also  done  in 
the  bureau.  About  500  men  and  women  are  employed.  A 
100-horse-power  engine  runs  the  machinery.  The  paper  is 
counted  as  issued,  and  no  employee  is  permitted  to  leave  till 
all  the  sheets  are  returned  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  their 
custody. 

Photograph  Office. — Opposite  the  S.  entrance  is  the  build- 
ing occupied  by  the  Photographer  of  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment. Herefac  similes  of  accounts  for  verification  by  agents 
sent  throughout  the  country  or  abroad,  and  plans  and  eleva- 
tions of  public  buildings,  are  made  by  means  of  photography. 
This  work  is  carried  on  on  a  large  scale. 


TREASURY  DEPARTMENT. 


135 


Coast  Survey. — This  important  office  occupies  a  private 
building,  erected,  however,  for  its  use,  in  1871,  on  New  Jer- 
sey av.,  SE.  of  the  Capitol,  between  B  and  C  sts.,  W.  side. 
The  object  of  the  service  is  the  survey  of  the  coasts  of  the 
United  States  on  tide  water.  Its  operations  commenced  in 
1807,  but  its  permanent  organization  was  not  effected  till  1833. 
In  the  building  are  preserved  the  original  records  and  charts, 
topographical  and  hydrographic,  from  the  beginning.  The 
Standards  of  Weights  and  Measures  are  also  kept  here,  and 
are  under  the  control  of  the  Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Sur- 
vey. From  these  the  standards  are  furnished  to  the  States. 
The  balance  for  heavy  weights  is  a  line  specimen  of  workman- 
ship, and  took  the  premium  at  the  World's  Fair  at  London. 
There  is  also  a  set  of  French  weights  and  measures,  presented 
to  the  United  States.  These  interesting  objects  are  not  on 
general  exhibition.  Gentlemen  of  science,  or  others  having 
a  special  purpose  in  view,  may  see  them  on  application  to  the 
Superintendent. 

Secretaries  of  the  Treasury. — 1789,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
N.  Y. ;  1795,  Oliver  Wolcott,'  Jr.,  Conn.;  1801,  Samuel  Dex- 
ter, Mass. ;  1801,  Albert  Gallatin,  Penn.;  1814,  G.  W.  Camp- 
bell, Tenn. ;  1814,  A.  J.  Dallas,  Penn. ;  1816,  W.  H.  Craw- 
ford, Ga. ;  1825,  Richard  Rush,  Penn.;  1829,  S.  D.  Ingham, 
Penn. ;  1831,  Louis  McLane,  Del. ;  1833,  W.  J.  Duane,  Penn.; 
1833,  Roger  B.  Taney,  Md.;  1834,  Levi  Woodbury,  N.  H. ; 
1841,  Thomas  E  wing,  Ohio ;  1841,  W.  Forward,  Penn. ;  1843, 
J.  C.  Spencer,  Y. ;  1844,  G.  M.  Bibb,  Ky. ;  3845,  R.  J. 
Walker,  Miss. ;  1849,  W.  M.  Meredith,  Penn.;  1850,  Thomas 
Corwin,  Ohio ;  1853,  James  Guthrie,  Kv. ;  1857,  Howell  Cobb, 
Ga. ;  1860,  P.  F.  Thomas,  Md. ;  1861,  J.  A.  Dix,  N.  Y. ;  1861, 
S.  P.  Chase,  Ohio;  1864,  W.  P.  Fessenclen,  Me.;  1865,  H. 
McCulloch,  Ind.;  1869,  G.  S.  Boutwell,  Mass.;  1873,  W.  A. 
Richardson,  Mass.;  1874,  B.  H.  Bristow,  Ky. 

The  44 Department  of  the  Treasury"  was  organized  under 
act  of  Congress  of  September  2, 1789,  with  a  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  as  the  chief  officer,  who  is  also  ex  officio  a  member 
of  the  President's  Cabinet.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  Secretary 
to  manage  the  business  pertaining  to  the  revenue  and  the 
support  of  the  public  credit,  to  make  estimates  of  revenues 
and  expenditures,  to  collect  the  revenue,  to  decide  the  form 
of  keeping  and  stating  accounts  and  making  returns,  to  grant 
warrants  for  moneys  authorized  by  law,  to  execute  such  ser- 
vices relative  to  the  sale  of  public  lands  as  were  required  of 
him  by  law,  to  communicate  information  to  Congress,  and 
generally  to  perform  all  services  relative  to  the  finances.  In 
1800  the  Secretary  was  required  to  submit,  at  the  commence- 


136  WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

ment  of  every  session,  a  report  on  the  finances  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, with  estimates  of  revenue  and  expenditures.  Under 
the  act  of  1789  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  to  receive  and  keep  the  moneys  of  the  United  States 
and  to  disburse  the  same  upon  warrants  drawn  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury,  countersigned  by  the  Comptroller,  and 
recorded  by  the  Register. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

The  War  Department  (open  every  day,  Sunday  excepted^ 
from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  lies  W.  of  the  President's  House,  and 
fronts  on  Pennsylvania  av.  In  former  days  it  was  known  as 
the  NW.  Executive  Building.  It  will  be  taken  down  to  give 
place  to  the  new  department  now  being  erected.  The  Sec- 
retary's office  is  at  the  E.  end  of  the  corridor  on  the  second 
floor.  Here  may  be  seen  a  gallery  of  portraits  of  the  Secre- 
taries of  War,  by  various  artists,  among  whom  are  Sully, 
Healy,Weir,  Huntingdon,  Brackett,  Young,  Ulke,  and  Thorpe. 
Portrait  of  Calhoun  is  an  original,  by  Sully,  and  is  very  superior. 
It  was  taken  from  sittings.  The  rest  are  copies.  The  Head- 
quarters of  the  General  of  the  Army,  removed  to  St.  Louis  1874, 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 


were  on  the  r.,  inside  of  the  E.  entrance.  There  are  many 
objects  of  interest,  including  rare  manuscripts,  in  the  depart- 
ment ;  but  not  in  a  condition  to  be  seen.    It  is  intended  to 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 


137 


set  apart  a  room  for  their  exhibition  in  the  new  building.  The 
Arsenal  and  Medical  and  Ordnance  Museums,  the  latter  in 
Winder's  building,  will  be  found  elsewhere.  In  rented  build- 
ings are  the  Signal  Office  and  Flag  Room.  The  latter  occupies 
the  first  floor  of  a  small  building  JNo.  616  W.  side  of  17th  st., 
opposite  the  War  Department,  {open  from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m. 
daily,  except  Sunday.  In  one  room  are  the  United  States 
and  State  flags  taken  from  the  national  forces  and  recovered 
upon  the  capture  of  Richmond.  In  the  back  room  are  the 
captured  Confederate  flags.  The y  represent  every  State. 
Some  are  associated  with  interesting  historic  incidents,  others 
are  curious  and  novel. 

Signal  Office. — (Open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  9  a. 
in.  to  3  p.  m.)  The  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  under 
whose  direction  the  national  weather  observations  are  made, 
occupies  two  contiguous  brick  buildings  on  the  side  of  Gi- 
st., W.  of  the  War  Department.  The  stranger  in  the  city, 
upon  reaching  the  head  of  the  street,  cannot  fail  to  notice 
them  by  a  variety  of  anemometers  of  divers  sizes,  and  an- 
emoscopes or  vanes  projecting  above  the  roof.  A  number 
of  converging  electric  wires  may  be  seen  entering  the  build- 
ing, some  communicating  with  self-registering  instruments 
or  connecting  the  telegraphic  department  of  the  office  with 
the  different  stations  in  all  parts  of  the  country  through  the 
lines  of  the  general  telegraphic  companies. 

The  entrance  for  visitors  is  by  the  door  Jfo..  1719.  They 
ascend  to  the  instrument  room  in  the  fourth  story.  The 
chief  interest  centres  in  the  Instrument  Boom,  where  may  be 
examined  the  apparatus  employed  in  the  various  meteoro- 
logical observations.  These  instruments  are  of  the  most  ap- 
proved patterns,  including  the  barometer,  to  show  the  atmos- 
pheric pressure  and  to  indicate  the  passage  of  storms ;  the 
thermometer,  mercurial  and  spirit,  for  indicating  the  tem- 
perature of  the  air ;  the  hygrometer,  to  show  the  humidity 
of  the  air;  one  maximum  and  one  minimum  thermometer, 
to  indicate  the  highest  and  lowest  temperature;  the  anem- 
ometer, for  obtaining  the  velocity  of  the  wind;  the  wind 
vane,  or  anemoscope,  for  indicating  the  direction  of  the  wind ; 
and  the  rain  gauge,  for  noting  the  rain-fall. 

The  roof  of  the  building  is  devoted  to  the  instruments  and 
apparatus  requiring  open  exposure  to  the  weather,  such  as 
rain-gauges,  wind-vanes,  and  anemometers.  A  shelter  also 
projects  from  a  window  on  the  IN".,  designed  with  special 
reference  to  the  comparison  of  thermometers  and  other  in- 
struments in  an  equal  temperature.  In  addition  to  these 
instruments  of  common  use,  there  is  a  complete  set  of  self- 


138 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 


recording  and  photographic  meteorological  instruments,  ope- 
rated by  means  of  clock-work  and  electric  batteries.  There 
are  also  two  cases  containing  a  "  panorama  of  the  clouds," 
illustrating  the  different  kind  of  clouds,  showing  the  trans- 
formation of  each  type  of  clouds  into  its  derivative.  It  also 
shows  meteoric  effects,  especially  the  localization  of  clouds 
about  the  crest  of  peaks  or  on  the  summits  of  loftier  moun- 
tain ranges.  There  are  also  other  instruments  of  general  use, 
though  not  part  of  meterological  science.  Among  these  are 
a  pentagraph,  for  transferring  and  reducing  isobarometric 
and  isothermal  curves  from  paper  to  zinc ;  a  self-registering 
instrument  for  showing  the  rise  and  fall  of  rivers,  and  a 
terrestrial  globe. 

In  addition  to  the  report  of  the  meteoric  condition  of  the 
United  States,  the  office  also  receives  the  height  of  the  vari- 
ous navigable  rivers.  The  data  thus  collected  is  published 
throughout  the  country  in  the  newspapers  and  at  4,491  post 
offices,  in  synopses  and  probabilities  and  weather  maps.  Cau- 
tionary signals  are  displayed  at  sea  and  lake  ports  for  the  ben- 
efit of  vessels.  A  line  of  telegraphic  wires  connects  the  life- 
saving  stations,  by  means  of  which  cautionary  signals  are  dis- 
played along  the  coast,  thus  warning  small  craft  in  time  to 
seek  shelter  on  the  approach  of  a  storm.  In  1873  home  re- 
ports were  received  from  78  stations,  from  Maine  to  Texas, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific ;  also  from  11  stations 
in  Canada  and  3  in  the  West  Indies. 

All  observations  are  made  synchronously  at  the  different 
stations  at  the  exact  hours  of  7.35  a.  m.,  4.35  p.  m.,  and  11.35 
p.m.,  Washington  time.  All  reports  are  received  and  results 
distributed,  except  to  post  offices,  over  the  lines  of  the  prin- 
cipal telegraphic  companies. 

The  instruction  of  the  army  in  military  signaling  and  tele- 
graphy, and  for  supplying  it  with  the  necessary  apparatus, 
previously  conducted  on  an  experimental  basis,  since  1870 
has  b^en  prosecuted  with  a  degree  of  success  which  promises 
to  materially  simplify  the  difficulty  of  moving  large  bodies  of 
troops  or  fleets  of  vessels,  and  to  constitute  an  essential  ele- 
ment of  tactical  operations,  whether  on  the  march  or  in  bat- 
tle.   Signal  schools  of  instruction  have  been  established. 

The  successful  and  responsible  organization  of  a  military 
signal  corps  has  led  to  a  further  extension  of  the  service  to  a 
uniform  course  of  instruction  to  apply  to  the  army  and  navy 
and  marines. 

On  February  9,  1870,  these  satisfactory  results  in  the  orig- 
inal duty  contemplated  for  the  signal  corps  were  supplement- 
ed by  diverting  the  practiced  skill  of  its  officers  and  men  into 
a  still  wider  field  of  operations. 


9 


WAR  DEPARTMENT.  139 

To  meet  the  additional'duty,  the  labor  of  the  Signal  Bureau 
was  distributed  under  two  distinct  heads.  First,  the  Division 
of  Signals  Proper,  to  embrace  the  system  of  military  signals 
and  telegraphy,  and  to  have  charge  of  the  instruction  of  offi- 
cers and  men  of  any  branch  of  the  service  designated  for  that 
duty.  Second,  the  Division  of  Telegrams  and  Reports  for  the 
Benefit  of  Commerce.  The  organization  of  this  new  and  novel 
service,  in  accordance  with  general  orders,  was  immediately 
commenced  by  Col.  Albert  J.  Myer,  Brevet  Brigadier  General 
and  Chief  Signal  Offieer  of  the  Army. 

The  stations  are  divided  into  two  classes:  First,  stations  of 
observation  and  report,  and  to  which  all  reports  of  observa- 
tions elsewhere  made  are  forwarded.  Second,  stations  of  re- 
port alone,  or  those  at  which  observations  elsewhere  made 
are  reported. 

On  Nov.  1, 1870,  the  preliminary  arrangements  having  been 
perfected  at  7.35  a.  m.,  the  first  systematized  synchronous  me- 
teoric reports  ever  taken  in  the  United  States  were  read  from 
the  instruments  by  the  observer  sergeants  of  the  signal  ser- 
vice at  24  stations,  and  placed  upon  the  telegraphic  wires  for 
transmission.  A  further  extension  of  the  utility  of  the  ser- 
vice was  made  in  Oct.,  1871,  after  a  series  of  satisfactory  ex- 
periments, by  the  display  of  cautionary  signals  at  ports  on  the 
Atlantic  and  the  Gulf  coast  and  the  northern  lakes.  The 
sphere  of  usefulness  of  this  important  service  is  annually 
extended. 

Secretaries  of  War. — 1789,  Henry  Knox,  Mass.;  1795, 
Timothy  Pickering,  Mass. ;  1796,  James  McHenry,  Md. ; 

1800,  Samuel  Dexter,  Mass. ;  1801,  Koger  Griswold,  Conn. ; 

1801,  Henry  Dearborn,  Mass. ;  1809,  William  Eustis,  Mass. ; 
1813,  John  Armstrong,  Y. ;  1814,  James  Monroe,  Va. ; 
1815,  W.  H.  Crawford^Ga. ;  1817,  J.  C.  Calhoun,  S.  C. ;  1825, 
James  Barbour,  Va. ;  1828,  P.  B.  Porter,  TST.  Y. ;  1829,  J.  H. 
Eaton,  Tenn. ;  1831,  Lewis  Cass,  Mich. ;  1837,  Joel  R.  Poin- 
sett, S.  C. ;  1841,  John  Bell,  Tenn. ;  1841,  J.  C.  Spencer,  N. 
Y. ;  1844,  W.  Wilkins,  Penn. ;  1845,  W.  L.  Marcy,  N.  Y. ; 
1849,  G.  W.  Crawford,  Ga. ;  1850,  Gen.  Winfielcl  Scott,  ad 
in.,  Army;  1850,  C.  M.  Conrad,  La. ;  1853,  Jefferson  Davis, 
Miss.;  1857,  J.  B.  Floyd,  Ya. ;  1860,  J.  Holt,  Ky. ;  1861, 
Simon  Cameron,  Penn.;  1862,  E.  M.  Stanton,  Ohio;  1867, 
Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  ad  in.,  Army ;  1868,  Adj.  Gen.  L.  Thomas, 
ad  in.,  Army ;  1868,  J.  M.  Schoiield,  111. ;  1869,  J.  A.  Raw- 
lins, 111.;  1869,  Gen.  W.T.  Sherman, p.  t.,  Army;  1869,  W. 
W.  Belknap,  Io. 

Prior  to  1789,  under  an  ordinance  for  ascertaining  the  pow- 
ers and  duties  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  officer  was  charged 


140 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT. 


with  the  direct  management  of  the  military  amiirs  of  Con- 
gress, required  to  report  to  Congress  the  condition  of  the 
army  and  military  stores  and  supplies,  and  to  keep  returns  ; 
to  make  all  military  estimates ;  to  direct  the  operations  of 
troops  in  the  service,  subject  to  the  orders  of  Congress  or  the 
committees  of  the  States ;  to  appoint  and  remove  at  pleasure 
all  persons  under  him,  being  responsible  to  Congress  for  their 
conduct.  The  office  was  created  an  executive  department  by 
the  act  of  Congress  August  7,  1789,  to  be  known  as  the  De- 
partment of  War,  and  the  chief  officer  as  Secretary  for  the 
Department  of  War.  He  was  required  to  execute  the  orders 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  u  agreeably  to  the 
Constitution,"  in  all  matters  respecting  military  or  naval  af- 
fairs, to  the  granting  of  lands  to  persons  entitled  to  the  same 
for  military  services  rendered  to  the  United  States,  and  rela- 
tive to  Indian  affairs.  September  29,  1789,  the  military  es- 
tablishment of  1787  was  adapted  to  the  Constitution.  The 
early  powers  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  by  subsequent  enact- 
ment, have  been  restricted  to  the  exercise,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  President,  of  jurisdiction  over  the  military  service 
only.  The  Secretary  of  War  is  ex  officio  a  member  of  the 
Cabinet. 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT. 

This  department  (opera  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  9  a. 
m.  to  3  p.  m.)  lies  W.  of  the  President's  House,  and*  was  for- 
merly designated  the  S  W.  Executive  Building.  This  structure 
will  shortly  be  taken  down,  to  make  space  for  the  new  depart- 
ment now  being  erected.  The  original  building  faced  S.  A 
wing  erected  in  1861  now  projects  instead.  Tne  Secretary's 
office  is  at  the  S.  end  of  the  corridor  on  the  second  lloor.  The 
Admiral's  office  is  at  his  residence,  1710  H  st.  NW.  The  Na- 
val Observatory,  Navy-yard,  and  Marine  Barracks  will  be 
described  under  their  appropriate  heads.  The  Hydro  graphic 
office,  NE.  corner  of  18th  st.  and  New  York  av.  NW.,  occu- 
pies a  rented  building  called  the  "Octagon,"  the  residence  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  till  the  restoration  of  the 
President's  House  after  the  occupation  of  the  city  in  1814. 
The  Hydrographic  office  was  established  in  1866,  and  is  a 
branch  of  the  Bureau  of  Navigation.  Its  objects  are  the  col- 
lection of  hydrographic  information,  preparation  of  sailing 
directions,  the  collection  of  charts,  the  engraving  and  print- 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT. 


141 


ing  of  new  ones,  and  the  revision  of  old ;  also  the  care  of  all 
instruments  except  chronometers  and  compasses. 

Nautical  Almanac  Office — This  branch  of  the  Bureau  of 
Navigation  occupies  a  rented  building,  No.  807  22d  st.  NW. 
Was  started  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  under  an  act  of  Congress, 
1849.  In  1S66  it  was  remove  1  to  Washington.  The  object 
is  the  computation  of  astronomical  tables  for  the  use  of  the 
Naval  Observatory  and  Navy.  A  set  of  tables  is  also  printed 
for  the  merchant  service,  giving  longitude  of  Washington  and 
Greenwich.  Under  the  act  of  1850  the  meridian  of  the  Na- 
val Observatory  was  adopted  as  the  American  meridian  for 
astronomical  and  that  of  Greenwich  for  nautical  purposes. 
The  almanac  is  prepared  three  years  in  advance.  There  is  a 
fine  astronomical  library  connected  with  the  office. 

Secretaries  of  the  Navy. — 1789,  Henry  Knox,  Mass. ;  1794. 
Timothy  Pickering,  Penn.;  1796,  James  McHenry,  Md. ;  1798, 
Benjamin  Stodclert,  Md. ;  1802,  Robert  Smith,  Md.;  1805, 
Jacob  Crowninshield,  Mass.;  1809,  Paul  Hamilton,  S.  C; 
1813,  William  Jones,  Penn.;  1814,  B.  W.  Crowninshield, 
Mass. ;  1818,  Smith  Thompson,  N.  Y. ;  1823,  S.  L.  Southard, 
N.  J. ;  1829.  John  Branch,  N.  C. ;  1831,  Levi  Woodbury,  N. 
H. ;  1834,  Mahlon  Dickerson,  N.  J. ;  1838,  J.  K.  Paulding,  N. 
Y.;  1841,  G.  E.  Badger,  N.C.;  1841,  A.P.Upshur,  Ya.;1844, 
T.  W.  Gilmer,  Ya. ;  1844,  J.  Y.  Mason,  Ya. ;  1845,  George 
Bancroft,  Mass. ;  1846,  John  Y.  Mason,  Ya. ;  1849,  W.  B. 
Preston,  Ya. ;  1850,  W.  A.  Graham,  N.  C. ;  1852,  J.  P.  Ken- 
nedy, Md. ;  1853,  J.  C.  Dobbin,  N.  C. ;  1857,  Isaac  Toucey, 
Conn. ;  1861,  Gideon  Welles,  Conn.;  1869,  A.E.  Borie,  Penn.: 
1869,  G.  M.  Robeson,  N.  J. 

The  naval  service,  previously  under  the  direction  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  in  April,  1798,  was  assigned  to  an  execu- 
tive department  created  for  the  purpose,  and  designated  the 
Department  of  the  Navy,  the  chief  officer  of  which  was  to  be 
called  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  His  duties  were  to  execute 
the  orders  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  all  matters 
connected  with  the  naval  establishment  of  the  United  States. 
During  the  same  year  the  Marine  Corps  was  organized,  as  an 
adjunct  to  the  naval  establishment. 

In  1862  the  department  was  reorganized  by  the  division  of 
its  duties  into  eight  bureaus,  viz,  Ordnance,  Equipment  and 
Recruiting,  Yards  and  Docks,  Navigation,  Medicine  and  Sur- 
gery, Provisions  and  Clothing,  Steam  Engineering,  and  Con- 
struction and  Repair. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Navy  is  ex  officio  a  member  of  the 
Cabinet  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 


U2 


DEPARTMENT  OF  TUE  INTERIOR. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR. 

This  important  department  (open  ever?/  clay,  except  Sun- 
day, from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  occupies  rooms  on  the  N".  cor- 
ridor, main  floor,  of  the  vast  structure  known  as  the  Patent 
Office.  The  Secretary  of  the  Interior  is  charged  with  the 
administration  of  affairs  relating  to  patents,  public  lands, 
pensions,  Indians,  census,  education,  and  the  beneficiary 
asylums  in  the  District  of  Columbia  belonging  to  the  Gov- 
ernment. He  is  invested  with  the  powers,  prior  to  the  act  of 
1873,  exercised  by  the  Secretary  of  State  over  the  Territories 
of  the  United  States,  and  also  has  supervisory  control  over 
the  architect  of  the  Capitol.  The  office  of  the  Secretary  is 
on  the  N.  corridor,  near  the  SHE.  corner  of  the  building.  In 
the  Secretary's  office  are  photographs  of  the  Secretaries  of 
the  Interior.  In  the  Chief  Clerk's  room,  adjoining  on  the 
E.,  are  portraits  of  Thomas  Ewing  and  Caleb  B.  Smith,  for- 
mer Secretaries,  by  Stanley. 

For  description  of  the  building,  see  Patent  Office. 

Indian  Office. — There  are  frequently  delegations  of  Indians 
at  the  National  Capital,  brought  here  in  connection  with 
negotiations  or  business  under  treaties.  The  councils  are 
held  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  or  Commis- 
sioner, in  the  1ST.  corridor.  On  these  occasions  the  red  sons 
of  the  forest  meet  the  representatives  of  the  u  Great  Father," 
and  negotiations  are  conducted  in  great  form  and  ceremony, 
only  lacking  the  wild  surroundings  of  the  savage  country. 

Bureau  of  Education. — (Open  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
from  9  a.  m.  to  3p.  m.) — The  Bureau  of  Education  occupies 
a  rented  building  on  the  KE.  corner  of  G  and  8th  sts.  NW., 
opposite  the  E.  part  of  the  1ST.  facade  of  the  Patent  Office. 
There  is  a  fine  library  of  educational  works,  and  other  objects 
of  interest  in  the  building. 

The  fathers  of  the  Republic  recognized  education  as  among 
the  leading  elements  of  prosperity  and  success.  It  was  not, 
however,  till  long  after  the  Constitution  was  established  that 
the  Government  gave  the  subject  a  national  recognition.  In 
response  to  the  growing  sentiment  in  favor  of  public  educa- 
tion, in  1832  Congress  passed  an  act  giving,  in  connection 
with  a  division  of  the  proceeds  of  land  sales,  12  J  per  cent,  to 
certain  States  for  educational  purposes.  This  was  vetoed  by 
Jackson.  In  1837  Congress  authorized  the  deposit  with  the 
different  States,  in  proportion  to  their  representation,  of  mil- 
lions of  the  surplus  funds  in  the  Treasury  for  safe  keeping 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR.  143 


and  repayment  when  required.  The  income  of  this  in  a 
large  number  of  the  States  was  set  apart  for  school  purposes. 
Subsequently  the  acts  admitting  Oregon  and  Minnesota  and 
other  new  States  added  to  the  16th  the  36th  section  of  land 
in  each  township  for  school  purposes. 

In  1862  followed  the  grants  for  colleges  of  agriculture  and 
the  mechanic  arts.  Taken  in  connection  with  previous  acts  of 
liberality  for  the  same  purpose,  the  total  of  land  grants  in  the 
interest  of  education  amounted  to  78,576,794  acres.  If  ex- 
tended to  the  eleven  Territories  when  admitted  to  the  Union, 
the  aggregate  will  reach  the  magnificent  endowment  of 
79,566,794  acres,  or  124,323  square  miles.  This  area  of  terri- 
tory is  greater  than  that  of  the  whole  of  the  British  Isles,  and 
over  half  the  area  of  Imperial  Germany  or  France.  Or,  valued 
at  the  Government  price  of  $1  25  per  acre,  makes  a  donation 
of  899,458,492  50.  All  the  nations  in  Christendom  put  to- 
gether have  not  done  so  much  for  the  education  and  future 
happiness  of  their  people.  The  idea  of  using  the  public  do- 
main for  educational  purposes  is  not  modern.  In  1823  it  was 
a  subject  of  inquiry  in  the  House  of  ^Representatives,  the 
proposition  being  to  set  apart  a  portion  of  this  income  to  be 
distributed  for  the  promotion  of  education  in  the  several 
States.  In  1824  a  resolution  was  submitted  in  the  same 
House  to  the  effect  that  all  money  received  from  these  sales 
ought  to  be  appropriated  exclusively  for  the  support  of  com- 
mon schools  and  the  construction  of  roads  and  canals.  In 
1826  Mr.  Dickinson  in  the  Senate  reported  a  similar  resolu- 
tion, but  without  success.  Out  of  the  aid  later  afforded  sprung 
the  common-school  system  of  the  interior  NW. 

On  March  2, 1867,  Congress  created  a  Department  of  Edu- 
cation, for  the  purpose  of  collecting  such  statistics  and  facts 
as  show  the  condition  and  progress  of  education  in  the  several 
States  and  Territories,  and  of  diffusing  such  information  re- 
specting the  organization  and  management  of  schools  and 
school  systems  and  methods  of  teaching  as  may  aid  the  people 
of  the  United  States  in  the  establishment  and  maintenance 
of  efficient  schools,  and  of  otherwise  promoting  the  cause 
of  education  throughout  the  country.  The  management  of 
the  department  was  intrusted  to  a  Commissioner  appointed 
by  the  President  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate. 

The  Commissioner  was  required  to  report  annually  to  Con- 
gress the  results  of  his  investigations  and  labors,  together 
with  a  statement  of  such  facts  and  recommendations  as  would 
in  his  judgment  subserve  the  purposes  for  which  the  depart- 
ment was  established.  The  next  year  Congress  reduced  the 
department  to  a  bureau,  to  be  called  the  u  Office  of  Educa- 
tion," under  the  directions  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


144 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR. 


Survey  of  the  Territories.— -Office  W.  corner  of  Pennsyl- 
vania av.  and  11th  st.  NW.,  second  floor,  entrance  outside,  on 
11th  st.  (open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  9  a.  m.  to  3^>. 
m.)  Here  will  be  found  a  complete  and  Interesting  collec- 
tion of  photographs  of  the  wonders  of  the  unknown  West,  by 
W.  H.  Jackson,  and  taken  dining  the  various  expeditions  con- 
ducted under  the  command  and  scientific  direction  of  Dr.  F. 
V.  Hayden  and  business  management  of  Captain  James  Ste- 
venson, his  associate.  The  collection  includes  the  Yellow- 
stone region,  Utah.  Wyoming,  and  Colorado,  and  1,000  neg- 
atives illustrative  of  Indians  and  Indian  life.  Also,  sketches 
by  W.  H.  Holmes,  and  maps  by  J.  T.  Gardner.  The  United 
States  geological  surveys  of  the  Territories,  Dr.  F.  V.  Hayden 
in  charge,  inaugurated  in  1867,  under  the  Department  of  the 
Interior,  have  been  continued  from  year  to  year  by  annual 
appropriations,  and  have  constituted  not  only  a  most  inter- 
esting and  valuable  but  important  national  undertaking. 
These,  surveys  have  covered  Nebraska,  Kansas,  Colorado, 
New  Mexico,  Wyoming,  Montana,  and  Utah.  The  Great 
Geyser  basin  and  other  wonders  of  the  Yellowstone  region, 
and  the  sublime  mountain  area  of  Colorado,  were  first  brought 
within  the  range  of  geographical  science  by  these  expeditions. 
The  publications  of  these  surveys  are  received  with  satisfac- 
tion bv  scientific  men  and  societies  in  America  and  Europe, 
and  embrace  a  vast  amount  of  scientific  material  and  prac- 
tical information  fresh  from  the  vast  regions  hitherto  appro- 
priately termed  the  unknown  West. 

Secretaries  of  the  Interior. — 1849,  Thomas  Ewing,  Ohio; 
1850,  Thos.  M.  T.  McKenna,  Penna. ;  1850,  A.  H.  H.  Stuar, 
Va.;  1853,  Kobert  McClelland,  Mich.;  1857,  J.  Thompson, 
Miss.;  1861,  C.  B.  Smith,  Ind. ;  1863,  J.  P.  Usher,  Ind. ; 
1865,  James  Harlan,  Io. ;  1866,  O.  H.  Browning,  Ills. ;  1869, 
J.  D.  Cox,  Ohio ;  1871,  Columbus  Delano,  Ohio. 

The  act  of  Mar.  3,  1849,  created  a  home  department,  to  be 
called  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  the  head  of  which  was 
to  be  called  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  to  be  appointed  by 
the  President  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate.  This 
officer  was  to  hold  by  the  same  tenure  and  receive  the  same 
salary  as  the  secretaries  of  the  other  executive  departments. 
The  various  branches  of  the  public  service  under  the  admin- 
istration of  the  department  have  been  given.  The  Secretary 
of  the  Interior  is  ex  officio  a  member  of  the  Cabinet  of  the 
President. 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


145 


PATENT  OFFICE. 

The  Patent  Office  occupies  two  squares,  extending  from 
7th  to  9th  sts.  W.  and  from  F  to  G  sts.  N.,  and  is  about  equi- 
distant from  the  capitol  and  the  President's  House.  It  may 
be  reached  from  either  by  the  Metropolitan  or  F-st.  horse  rail- 
way. The  7th-st.  horse  cars  pass  it  on  the  E.  The  main  en- 
trance is  on  F  st.,  and  fronts  8th  st.  facing  south. 


PATENT  OFFICE. 

Description. — This  immense  pile,  situated  on  the  reserva- 
tion set  apart  in  the  old  plan  of  the  city  for  the  National 
Church  or  Mausoleum,  is  pure  Grecian  Doric,  of  massive  pro- 
portions, and  measures  453  ft.  from  E.  to  W.  and  331  ft.  from 
N.  to  S.,  including  the  projections  of  the  portico,  and  has  an 
elevation  of  75  ft.,  surmounted  by  an  acroteria.  The  build- 
ing contains  191  rooms  and  cost  $2,700,000.  The  reservation 
(8)  upon  which  it  stands  embraces  a.,  and  the  structure 
itself  covers  2f  a. 

The  original  structure,  commenced  in  1837  and  finished  in  1842,  was  270  ft.  front 
on  F  st.  and  70  ft.  deep,  or  150  ft.  includiug  S.  portico  and  N.  apse,  and  was  built  of 
freestone  from  the  Government  quarries  at  Aquia  Creek.  It  was  designed  by  W.  P. 
Elliott,  (  Elliott  &  Town,  engineers)  and  executed  by  Robert  Mills.  The  E.  Wing 
was  authorized  in  1849,  commenced  by  Robert  Mills,  who  was  succeeded  in  1851  by 
Edward  Clark,  then  assistant  and  later  architect  of  the  Capitol,  who  completed  the 
building  in  1864.  It  consists  of  two  wings,  on  the  E.  and  W.,  and  an  intervening 
building  on  the  N.,  corresponding  with  the  old  structure  on  the  S.,  the  whole  form- 
ing on  an  interior  quadrangle  265  ft.  by  135  ft.  The  E.  Wing  was  occupied  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  in  1853.  The  new  portions  of  the  building  are  of  Mary- 
land marble  on  the  exterior  and  New  England  granite  on  the  quadrangle.  The 

10 


146 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


original  building  is  painted  white  to  harmonize  with  the  extension.  The  edifice 
rests  on  a  sub-base  of  granite,  above  which  is  a  basement  of  the  material  of  the  super- 
structure, after  which  rises  the  order,  pierced  with  two  stories  of  windows,  the 
whole  surmounted  by  an  acroteria  to  correspond  with  the  earlier  portion  of  the 
structure.  The  exterior  is  entirely  without  display.  The  absence  of  ornament 
about  the  windows  will  be  observed.  A  depression  in  the  configuration  of  the  site 
of  the  building  brings  the  sub-basement  into  view  on  9th  st.  On  7th  st.  the  level  is 
on  a  line  with  the  basement.  Between  the  streets  and  the  building  on  the  S.  E.  and 
W.  are  small  lawns  and  evergreens. 

On  the  S.,  facing  8th  st.  W.,  is  an  imposing  portico,  ap- 
proached by  a  lofty  flight  of  granite  steps  which  abut  against 
proportionate  blockings  of  the  same  material.  The  portico 
rests  on  a  substruction  of  masonry,  and  is  composed  of  two 
rows  of  8  Doric  columns,  tinted,  0  ft.  in  diameter  and  32  ft. 
high,  raised  in  sections  and  flanked  by  immense  pilasters. 
It  is  modeled  after  the  Parthenon,  or  Temple  of  Minerva,  at 
Athens,  and  is  of  the  same  dimensions.  A  careful  study  of 
its  proportions  must  impress  the  beholder  with  its  grandeur. 
On  the  E.  is  si  portico  of  a  single  row  of  six  columns,  and  also 
reached  from  the  street  by  a  grand  flight  of  steps.  On  the 
K.  is  a  portico  of  8  columns  in  a  single  row.  The  steps  here 
do  not  ascend  to  the  order,  but  to  the  base  of  the  line  of  piers 
upon  which  the  portico  stands.  From  this  a  door  enters  the 
basement.  On  the  W.  the  portico  corresponds  with  thac  on 
the  E.,  with  the  absence  of  the  steps  to  the  order,  in  this  case 
the  ascent  being  by  a  double  flight  to  the  basement.  In  the 
E.  Wing  there  are  4  doors  entering  the  basement,  2  of  which 
are  on  the      and  S. 

From  the  main  portico  a  door  opens  into  a  spacious  en- 
trance hall  or  vestibule,  with  an  arched  ceiling  groined  on  8 
Doric  colnms  and  10  pilasters.  On  the  r.  and  1.  runs  a  cor- 
ridor, which  extends  entirely  around  the  main  floor  of  the 
building,  and  upon  which  open  the  various  offices  of  the  De- 
partment of  the  Interior.  In  the  SE.  angle  is  that  of  the 
Commissioner  of  Patents.  Here  will  be  found  a  set  of  en- 
gravings of  the  Commissioners,  including  a  portrait  of  Dr. 
'William  Thornton,  of  Penn.,  designer  of  the  original  plan  of 
the  Capitol,  and  Superintendent  of  Patents  in  the  State  De- 
partment, 1803-1827.  There  is  also  a  very  valuable  portrait 
of  Robert  Fulton,  of  Penn.,  one  of  the  inventors  of  the  steam- 
boat, and  painted  by  himself .  Fulton  studied  under  Benja- 
min West,  of  Penn.,  president  of  the  Royal  Academy  of  Fine 
Arts,  London.  There  are  also  8  artist  proof  engravings  of 
celebrated  inventors  from  original  paintings  in  the  collection 
of  and  presented  by  B.  Woodcroft,  of  the  Great  Seal  Patent 
Office,  London.  The  rooms  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
the  Indian,  Pension*  and  Census  Offices,  are  on  the  N.  cor- 
ridor, the  Office  of  Public  Lands  in  the  SW.  angle,  and  the 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


147 


Patent  Office  Library  on  the  S.  corridor,  room  77,  near  and 
on  the  W.  of  the  entrance  hall.  The  visitor  can  make  the 
entire  circuit  of  the  building  by  this  corridor.  (See  Depart- 
ment of  the  Interior.)  In  each  angle  are  granite  steps  to  the 
basement,  where  are  offices  and  storage  vaults.  From  the  S. 
entrance  and  vestibule  a  double  flight  of  steps  leads  to  the 
Museum  of  Models  of  the  Patent  Office ;  beneath  this  to  the 
basement. 

Museum  of  Models. — (Open  every  day,  except  Sundays 
and  holidays,  from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  This  interesting 
collection  of  American  and  foreign  inventions,  patented 
under  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  embraces  upwards 
of  155,000  models,  accumulated  since  the  fire  of  1836,  and 
divided  into  145  general  clases,  and  nearly  8,000  relevant 
subdivisions.  The  Museum  occupies  a  suite  of  four  magnifi- 
cent halls  on  the  four  sides  of  the  building,  second  floor. 
Each  case  contains  an  index  card. 

See  Keim's  Illustrated  Guide  to  the  Museum  of 
Models,  Patent  Office,  for  a  catalogue  of  models  and 
history  of  the  most  notable  inventions. 


Copyright,  1874,  DeB.  R.  Keim. 

SOUTH  HALL  MODEL  MUSEUM,  PATENT  OFFICE. 


148 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


S.  Hall,  (entrance.) — This  is  a  superb  apartment,  242  ft. 
long  by  63  ft.  wide  and  30  ft.  high.  The  prospect  is  broken 
by  36  doric  columns  in  quadruple  rows,  with  their  entablature, 
20  ft.  high,  and  corresponding  pilasters,  which  support  a  se- 
ries of  groined  arches  of  10  ft.  spring,  artistically  adjusted  to 
secure  both  solidity  and  effect.  In  the  centre  is  a  raised  arch 
40  ft.  high,  of  beautiful  construction,  and  pierced  by  an  aper- 
ture of  13  ft.  in  diameter.  This  part  of  the  ceiling  is  admi- 
rably adapted  to  harmonize  the  range  of  arches  on  either  side 
with  the  main  design.  The  entire  complicated  structure  of 
the  room  is  of  solid  masonry.  The  general  style  of  decora- 
tion is  Pompeiian,  with  appropriate  adaptation.  The  iron 
stairway  opposite  the  door  leads  to  a  storage  room  over  the  S. 
portico,  used  for  documents.  Near  the  entrance  door  are  a 
number  of  relics  of  historic  value  and  interest.  On  the  r.  is 
the  printing-press  of  Franklin,  at  which  he  worked  in  London 
in  1728.  The  case,  nearly  opposite,  (No.  24,)  contains  a  num- 
ber of  Washington  relics,  including  a  set  of  china  and  cande- 
labra, presented  to  him  by  officers  of  the  Society  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati; one  plate  to  Martha  Washington  from  Gen.  Lafayette, 
1781 ;  the  uniform  of  Washington,  worn  when  he  resigned 
his  commission  in  1783;  a  tea-board  presented  him,  and  his 
sword,  secretary,  cane,  compass,  and  sleeping-tent.  Among 
other  relics  in  the  same  case  is  the  coat  worn  by  Jackson  at 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans;  Baron  de  Kalb's  war  saddle;  a 
sword  presented  to  Commodore  Biddle  by  the  Viceroy  of 
Peru ;  sabres  from  Ali  Pacha,  Bey  of  Egypt,  to  the  officers 
of  the  U.  S.  ship  Concord,  1832  ;  a  coat  of  Gen.  Paez,  associ- 
ate of  Simon  Bolivar,  and  a  cimeter.  The  case  (No.  23)  next 
on  the  W.  contains  the  original  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, Washington's  commission  as  commander-in-chief, 
dated  at  Philadelphia,  June  19,  1775,  treasure  chest,  furni- 
ture, part  of  a  set,  tents  and  tent  poles,  camp  chest,  andirons, 
curtains  worked  by  Martha  Washington,  and  two  chairs.  In 
the  same  case  are  two  guns  of  antique  pattern,  presented  to 
President  Jefferson  by  the  Emperor  of  Morocco,  a  model  pat- 
ented by  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1847,  for  an  improved  method 
of  lifting  vessels  over  shoals ;  also  a  pair  of  gloves  which  be- 
longed to  President  Lincoln.  In  the  S.  hall  are  57  cases  con- 
taining models  of  artificial  limbs,  beer  and  wine,  bleaching 
and  dyeing,  boots  and  shoes,  caoutchouc,  chemical  miscella- 
neous, clasps  and  buckles,  clay,  coffin,  cutleiw,  dental,  draft- 
ing, electricity,  fuel,  gas,  gunpowder,  harness,  horology,  hose 
and  belting,  ice,  leather,  manures,  measuring-instruments, 
oils,  fats  and  glue,  optics,  paint,  plating,  preserving  food, 
signals,  stills,  sugar,  surgery,  tanning,  trunks.  This  hall  was 
originally  intended  for  an  exhibition  of  home  manufactures 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


149 


This  hall  was  originally  intended  for  an  exhibition  of  home  manufactures.  In 
1842  it  was  set  apart  for  the  valuable  collections  in  natural  history  brought  back  by 
the  expedition  of  Commodore,  afterwards  Rear  Admiral,  Charles  Wilkes.  These 
were  subsequently  transferred  to  the  National  Museum  in  the  Smithsonian  building. 
Later  the  plants,  herbarium,  and  crania  were  transferred  to  the  Botanical  Garden 
and  Agricultural  and  Medical  Museums  respectively.  In  the  hall  were  also  a  num- 
her  of  interesting  objects  possessing  historical  associations,  contributed  by  the  vari- 
ous executive  departments,  or  belonging  to  the  National  Institute,  founded  1840, 
incorporated  1842,  and  expired  1858. 


Copyright,  1874,  DeB.  R.  Keim. 

EAST  HALL  MODEL  MUSEUM,  PATENT  OFFICE. 

E.  Hall— On  the  1.  the  S.  hall  opens  into  the  E.  hall,  271 
ft.  long  and  63J  ft.  wide.  The  groined  arches  of  the  ceiling 
rest  upon  28  marble  piers  and  a  requisite  number  of  pilasters. 
It  contains  130  cases,  containing  models  of  apparel,  beds, 
boats,  book-binding,  builders'  hardware,  carding,  cloth,  cord- 
age, crinoline  and  corsets,  dryers  and  kilns,  educational,  felt- 
ing and  hats,  fine  arts,  fire-arms,  fishing,  furniture,  games  and 
toys,  governors,  jewelry,  kitchen  utensils,  knitting  and  net- 
ting, lamps  and  gas-fitting,  laundry,  locks  and  latches,  music, 
ordnance,  paper-making,  paper  manufactures,  photography, 
printing,  projectiles,  safes,  sewing  machines,  ships,  (2  classes,) 
silk,  spinning,  stationery,  steam,  (3  classes,)  stoves  and  fur- 
naces, toilet,  umbrellas  and  fans,  valves,  weaving. 


150 


PATENT  OFFICE. 


Copyright,  1874:  DeB.  R.  Keim. 

NORTH  AND  WEST  HALLS  MODEL  MUSEUM,  PATENT  OFFIE. 

N.  Hall,  reached  from  the  E.  hall,  is  266  ft.  long  by  59 J 
wide.  The  vast  room  is  covered  by  a  paneled  ceiling  com- 
posed of  iron  girders,  and  entirely  without  support  in  the  hall. 
The  number  of  cases  here  are  88,  containing  models  of  aera- 
tion and  bottling,  baths  and  closets,  bee  hives,  bolts,  nuts, 
and  rivets,  brakes  and  gins,  casting,  dairy,  files,  garden  and 
orchard,  grinding  and  polishing,  hardware  manufacture,  har- 
rows, harvesters,  horse  shoes,  metallurgy,  metal  working,  (7 
classes,)  mills,  nails,  needles  and  pins,  ores,  plows,  pneumat- 
ics, pumps,  railways,  (4  classes,)  saws,  seeders  and  planters, 
sheet  metal,  stabling,  tubing  and  wire,  water  distribution, 
water  wheels,  wire-working,  wood-screws,  wood-working,  (4 
classes.) 

W.  Hall  is  271  ft.  long,  64  ft.  wide,  and  is  the  same  in  gen- 
eral design  as  the  IS".  It  contains  models  of  bridges,  brushes 
and  brooms,  butchering,  carpentry,  carriages  and  wagons, 
excavators,  fences,  glass,  hoisting,  hydraulic  engineering, 
journals  and  bearings,  .masonry,  mechanical  powers,  paving, 
presses,  roofing,  stone,  lime  and  cement,  threshing,  tobacco. 

Commissioners  Of  Patents. — 1836,  Henry  L.  Ellsworth,  Conn.;  1845; 
Edmund  Burke,  Vt. ;  1849,  Thomas  Ewbank,  N.  Y. ;  1852,  S.  H.  Hodges,  Vt.  •, 
1853,  R.  C.  Weightman,  D.  C,  (acting;)  1853,  Charles  Mason,  Iowa;  1857, 


GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


151 


Samuel  T.  Shugeit,  Penn  ,  (acting  j)  1857,  Joseph  Holt,  Ky. ;  1859,  s-  T-  Shugert, 
Penn.,  (acting;)  1859,  William  D  Bishop,  Conn.;  i860,  Philip  F.  Thomas, 
Md.  ;  i860,  Samuel  T.  Shugert,  Penn,  (acting;)  1861,  D.  P.  Holloway,  Ind. ; 
1865.  T.  C.  Theaker,  Ohio;  1868,  A.  M.  Stout,  Ky.,  (acting ;)  1S68,  S.  H.  Hodges, 
Vt.,  (acting;)  1868,  E.  Foote,  N.  Y. ;  1869,  S.  S.  Fisher,  Ohio;  1870,  Samuel  L. 
Duncan,  N.  H.,  (acting;)  1871,  Mortimer  D.  Leggett,  Ohio;  1874,  J.  M.  Thacher, 
Vt.' 

HistOiy. — The  Patent  Office  of  the*United  States,  where  models  of  all  inven- 
tions patented  since  the  fire  of  1836  are  carefully  preserved  for  reference  and  exhibi- 
tion, is  an  institution  without  an  equal  in  the  worlJ,  and  speaks  more  for  the  high 
character  and  practical  basis  of  the  American  mind  than  could  be  expressed  in  vol- 
umes of  written  history  or  description.  VVc  are  able  here  to  trace,  in  practical  detail, 
the  progress  of  mechanical  arts  in  the  United  States,  since  1836,  and  but  for  the  un- 
fortunate destruction  of  the  early  models,  this  same  interesting  investigation  could 
be  carried  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  Government.  The  first  legislation  in  Con- 
gress on  the  subject  of  inventions  was  the  act  of,i790  to  promote  the  progress  of  use- 
ful arts,  which  authorized  any  person  to  petition  the  heads  of  any  of  the  executive 
departments  for  a  patent  for  any  new  invention.  The  patents  were  then  recorded 
in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 

The  rapid  increase  in  the  number  of  inventions  early  led  Congress  into  special 
provisions  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Patent  Office.  In  1810  the  erection  or  pur- 
chase of  a  suitable  building  for  the  use  of  the  General  Post  Office  and  keeper  of  the 
patents  and  arrangement  of  the  models  was  authorize  I.  Under  this  authority  a 
structure  known  as  Blodgett's  Hotel,  on  the  E.  st  side  of  the  present  site  of  the  Gen- 
eral Post  Office,  was  secured.  Up  to  182,0  all  applications  for  patents  were  exam- 
ined by  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  In  that  year  Dr.  Thornton, 
appointed  by  President  JefFerson  to  issue  patents,  took  upon  himself  the  title  of 
Superintendent  of  the  Patent  Office.  Under  the  act  of  July  4,  1S36,  the  Patent 
Office  was  created  a  separate  bureau  in  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  and  its  chief 
officer  received  the  title  of  Commissioner  of  Patents. 

On  Dec.  15,  18 36,  the  building  then  occupied  was  completely  consumed  by  fire, 
and  among  the  losses  were  the  models  accumulated  during  a  half  century,  and  num- 
bering upwards  of  4,000.  This  was  an  irreparable  calamity.  After  the  fire  the  busi- 
ness of  the  bureau  was  transacted  in  the  City  Hall,  now  the  District  Court  House, 
and  remained  there  until  it  was  removed  to  its  present  edifice. 

The  first  patent  was  issued  to  Samuel  Hopkins  on  July  31,  1790,  "for  making 
pot  or  pearl  ashes."    No  residence  is  given. 

Up  to  )836,  46  years,  10,301  patents  were  issued,  and  to  date  over  155,000.  The 
annual  number  of  patents  granted  is  about  13,000. 

The  patent  fund,  from  excess  of  fees  over  expenditures,  amounts  to  about  $800,- 
000.  The  annual  receipts  are  about  $700,000,  and  expenditures  $660,000.  a  con- 
siderable sum  out  of  the  patent  fund  went  to  the  erection  of  the  building. 


GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 

The  General  Post  Office  (open  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  stands  opposite  the  Patent  Office, 
on  F  st.,  and  covers  the  square  between  7th  and  8th  sts.  W. 
and  E  and  F  sts.  N.  It  may  be  reached  by  the  F-st.  horse 
cars  from  the  E.  and  W.,  and  those  on  7th  st.  from  the  N. 
and  S.  parts  of  the  city. 

The  Building  occupied  by  the  General  Post  Office  is  Cor- 
inthian. The  E  st.  portion  was  commenced  in  1839,  and 
finished  by  Robert  Mills,  architect,  and  constructed  of  marble 
from  New  York  quarries.    In  1842  Congress  purchased  the 


152 


GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


N.  half  of  the  square  to  F  St.,  and  in  1855  the  extension  of  the 
building  over  that  space  was  executed  by  Captain  M.  C. 
Meigs,  United  States  Engineers,  superintendent,  and  Edward 
Clark,  assistant,  from  designs  by  T.  U.  Walter,  architect  of 
the  Capitol,  and  was  built  out  of  Maryland  marble.  As  thus 
completed,  the  building-  measures  300  ft.  N.  and  S.,  and  204 
ft.  E.  and  W.,  and  has  two  stories,  resting  on  a  rustic  base- 
ment, below  which  are  vaults.  In  the  centre  is  a  court  194 
ft.  long  by  95  ft.  wide.  The  facades  are  of  white  marble. 
The  court  is  faced  with  granite.  Above  the  basement  rise 
the  various  features  of  the  order,  including  monolithic  col- 
umns and  pilasters,  with  beautifully-worked  capitals,  the 
whole  extending  through  two  stories,  upon  which  rest  the 
architrave,  frieze,  and  cornice,  crowned  by  a  paneled  acro- 
teria.  The  main  front  is  on  E  st.  The  S.  or  main  entrance 
is  in  the  basement,  reached  by  marble  steps,  and  is  formed 
of  two  Doric  columns,  one  on  either  side,  and  opens  into  a 
vestibule,  on  the  r.  and  1.  of  which  are  corridors,  leading  to 
marble  staircases  to  the  upper  stories.  Over  this  entrance 
are  four  attached  columns  of  the  Corinthian  order.  The  E. 
front  is  broken  by  a  central  projection  of  six  columns,  the 
outer  ones  being  coupled;  and  on  either  side,  towards  the 
extremities  of  this  front,  is  a  smaller  projection  of  four  at- 
tached columns,  coupled.    Beneath  the  central  projection  is 


GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


a  vestibule,  supported  on  four  Doric  columns  and  four  corner 
piers.  The  ceiling,  walls,  and  floor  are  finished  in  white 
marble,  and  on  either  side  is  a  niche.  The  W.  front  is  the 
same  as  the  E.  A  carriageway  here  opens  into  the  court, 
where  the  mails  are  received  and  despatched.    Th  keystone 


GENERAL  POST  OFFICE. 


153 


of  the  arch  of  this  entrance  is  intended  to  represent  Fidelity. 
On  either  side  are  figures  in  basso  relievo,  symbolizing  Steam 
and  Electricity. 

The  KT.  front  presents  a  recessed  portico,  consisting  of  8 
coupled  columns  resting  on  an  arcade  of  rustic  piers  corres- 
ponding with  the  basement.  There  are  entrances  to  the 
general  office  on  the  r.  and  1.  of  the  central  arcade,  and  from 
which  passages  or  steps  lead  to  the  corridors  on  the  same  floor 
or  above.  The  corridors  are  on  three  sides  only.  The  build- 
ing cost  $1,700,000. 

The  Postmaster  GeneraVs  office  is  on  the  floor  above  the 
basement,  S.  side  of  S.  corridor.  Here  may  be  seen  a  set  of 
photographs  of  the  Postmasters  General.  The  Dead  Letter 
office  is  on  the  N.  side,  entered  from  the  end  of  the  E. 
corridor  through  a  passage  or  anteroom.  To  gain  admission 
it  will  be  necessary  to  procure  a  permit  from  the  chief  clerk 
of  the  Finance  office,  on  the  same  floor  and  in  the  SW.  angle. 
The  building  contains  81  rooms.  The  stairways  are  in  the 
angles  of  the  building. 

City  Post  Office.— The  City  Post  Office  occupies  the  cen- 
tral portions  of  the  jN".  front.  The  Letter  Delivery  and  Stamp 
department  is  entered  through  the  3  arched  doorways  under 
the  N.  portico.  The  ceiling,  which  is  of  iron  and  brick,  is 
supported  on  granite  piers.  The  doors  on  the  r.  and  ].,  out- 
side, before  entering,  lead,  in  addition  to  the  corridors  and 
stairways,  to  the  Chief  Clerk's  and  Money  Order  and  Regis- 
tered Letter  offices  respectively.    (See  General  Information.) 

History. — Before  the  erection  of  the  present  edifice  the 
General  Post  Office  occupied  a  building  which  stood  on  the 
S.  half  of  the  square,  known  as  Blodgett's  Union  Public 
Hotel.  It  was  120  ft.  long,  50  ft.  wide,  and  3  stories  high; 
designed  by  James  Hoban,  and  built  of  brick,  ornamented 
with  freestone.  It  was  commenced  in  1793.  The  structure, 
however,  was  never  completed  by  its  projector.  The  plan 
was  to  erect  it  out  of  the  proceeds  of  a  lottery.  The  owner 
of  the  prize  ticket  was  an  orphan  child,  who  was  without  the 
means  of  carrying  on  the  work.  Tho  theatre  of  the  national 
metropolis  held  performances  in  it  for  a  time.  A  number  of 
Irish  and  other  emigrants  also  occupied  the  basement  free  of 
rent.  In  1810  it  was  purchased  by  the  Government.  After 
the  burning  of  the  Capitol,  Congress  held  one  session  in  it  as 
the  only  suitable  building  in  the  city.  It  was  also  occupied 
by  the  General  and  City  Post  Offices,  Patent  Office,  and  Li- 
brary of  Congress.  The  latter  was  removed  to  the  Capitol 
in  1818.    The  building  and  contents  were  entirely  destroyed 


154 


DEPARTMENT  OF  JUSTICE. 


by  fire  on  Dec.  15,  1836.  Private  buildings  were  subsequently  occupied  till 
the  completion  of  the  present  structure. 

Postmasters  General. — 1789,  Samuel  Osgood,  Mass  ;  1791,  Timothy 
Pickering,  Mass.;  1795,  Joseph  Habersham,  Ga.;  1802,  Gideon  Granger, 
Conn.;  1814,  R.  J.  Meigs,  Ohio  ;  1823,  John  McLean,  Ohio  ;  1829,  W.  T. 
Barry,  Ky.;  1835,  Amos  Kendall,  Ky.;  1840,  J.  M.  Niles,  Conn.;  1841,  Fran- 
cis Granger,  N.  Y.;  1841,  C.  A.  Wickliffe,  Ky.;  1845,  Cave  Johnson,  Tenn.; 
1849,  Jacob  Collamer,  Vt.:  1850,  N.  K.  Hall,  N.  Y.;  1852,  S.  D.  Hubbard, 
Conn.;  1853,  James  Campbell,  Penn.;  1857,  A.  V*  Brown,  Tenn.;  1859,  J. 
Holt  Ky.;  1861,  Horatio  King,  Me.;  1861,  Montgomery  Blair,  Md.;  1864, 
W.  Dennison,  Ohio;  1866,  A.  W.  Randall,  Wis.;  1869,  J.  A.  J.  Cresswell, 
Md.;  1874,  Marshall  Jewell,  Conn. 


The  General  Post  Office.— On  Sept.  22,  1789,  Congress  passed  an  act 
for  the  temporary  establishment  of  the  Post  Office,  with  the  same  power  as 
under  the  Confederation.  In  1792  a  "General  Post  Office  ''  was  permanently 
established,  under  immediate  direction  of  a  Postmaster  General,  who  was 
authorized  to  provide  for  carrying  the  mail  of  the  United  States  "  by  stage- 
carriages  or  horses  "  From  this  primitive  beginning  the  operations  of  the 
General  Post  Office  have  expanded  to  a  degree  fully  up  to  the  requirements 
of  the  increased  population  and  intelligence  of  the  people. 

The  Postmaster  General,  appointed  by  and  responsible  to  the  President,  is 
ex-qfficio  a  member  of  the  Cabinet.  Previous  to  1829  he  was  not  so  recognized. 
The  precedent  was  established  by  President  Jackson,  who  invited  Postmaster 
General  Barry  to  a  seat  in  the  Cabinet. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  JUSTICE. 

The  Department  of  Justice  [open  every  day,  except  Sun- 
day, from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  occupies  the  upper  floors  of  a 
fine  building  on  Pennsylvania  av.,  between  15  and  15J 
sts.,  and  opposite  the  Treasury  Department,  erected  by 
the  Freedmen's  Savings  and  Trust  Company.  The  entrance 
is  at  the  W.  end,  S.  front. 

Objects  of  Interest. — The  Gallery  of  Paintings  of  the 
Attorneys  General  of  the  United  States,  is  in  the  Attorney 
General's  room,  S.  E.  corner  2d  floor,  in  the  Assistant  At- 
torney General's  rooms,  No.  9  and  15,  and  the  Solicitor 
General's  room,  No.  11,  all  3d  floor.  The  portrait  of  Ed- 
mund Randolph,  of  Va.,  the  first  on  the  list,  is  from  an 
original.  That  of  William  Pinkney,  of  Md.,  is  from  Peale. 

Attorneys  General. — 1789,  Edmund  Randolph,  Va.;  1794,  William  Brad- 
ford, Penn.;  1795,  Charles  Lee,  Va.;  1&01,  Levi  Lincoln,  Mass.;  1805,  Robert 
Smith,  Md.;  1805,  John  Breckenridge,  Ky.;  1807,  Csesar  A.  Rodney,  Del.: 
1811,  William  Pinkney,  Md.;  1814,  Richard  Rush,  Penn.;  1817,  William  Wirt, 
Va.;  1829,  J.  M.  Berrien,  Ga.;  1831,  Roger  B.  Taney,  Md.;  1833,  B.  F. 
Butler,  N.  Y.;  18^8,  Felix  Grundy,  Tenn.:  1840,  H.  D.  Gilpin,  Penn.;  1841, 
J.  J.  Crittenden,  Ky.;  1841,  H.  S.  Legar6,  S.  C;  1843,  John  Nelson,  Md.; 
1845,  John  Y.  Mason,  Va.;  1846,  Nathan  Clifford,  Me.;  1848,  Isaac  Toucey, 
Conn.;  1849,  Reverdy  Johnson,  Md.;  1850,  J.  J.  Crittenden,  Ky.:  1853,. 
Caleb  Cushing,  Mass.;  1857,  Jer-  S.  Black,  Penn.;  i860,  E.  M.  Stantonr 
Penn.;  1861,  Edward  Bates,  Mo.;  1864  James  Speed,  Ky.;  1866,  Henry 
Stanbery,  Ohio  ;  1868.  W.  M.  Evarts,  N.  Y.  ;  1869,  E„  C.  Hoar.  Mass,; 
1870,  A.  T.  Ackerman,  Ga.;  1872,  G.  H.  Williams,  Oregon  ;  1875,  Edwards 
Pierpont,  N.  Y. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  JUSTICE. 


155 


History  of  the  Department. — This  Executive  Department,  of  which  the 
Attorney  General  is  trie  head,  was  created  by  act  of  Congress  approved  June 
22,  1870.  All  prosecutions  on  behalf  of  the  Government  are  conducted  by  this 
department.  T  he  Attorney  General  reports  annually  to  Congress- the  business 
of  his  department,  and  any  other  matters  appertaining  thereto  that  he  deems 
proper,  including  statistics  of  crime  under  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and 
as  far  as  practicable,  under  the  laws  of  the  several  States.    The  Attorney 


DEPARTMENT  OF  JUSTICE. 

(Freedman's  Bank  Rented,)  m 
General  is  also  required  to  give  his  advice  and  opinion  upon  all  questions  ot 
law.  when  asked  for  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  when  requested 
by  the  heads  of  the  Executive  Departments.    He  is  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, and  is  ex  officio  a  member  of  his  Cabinet.  _ 

Under  the  Attorney  General  are  the  officers  of  the  District  and  Circuit 
Courts  of  the  United  States,  the  Reform  School,  Metropolitan  Police,  and  Jail 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  law  officers  of  the  different  departments. 


156 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


DEPAKTMENT  OF  AGKICULTUKE. 

The  Department  of  Agriculture  (open  daily,  except  Sunday, 
from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  occupies  that  portion  of  the  Mall  lying 
E.  of  14th  st.,  and  between  the  Washington  Monument  and 
the  Smithsonian  Institution.  The  building  commands  a  view 
of  the  business  quarter  of  the  city,  and  in  turn  itself  makes  a 
fine  appearance  from  13th  st.  W.,  which  it  faces. 

Grounds. — The  grounds  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
building  are  beautifully  laid  out.  On  the  N.  front  is  a  con- 
creted surface  the  entire  length  of  the  building,  and  50  ft. 
wide,  which  makes  a  spacious  carriageway  to  the  main  en- 
trance, and  is  also  used  by  pedestrians.  A  terrace  wall 
about  4  ft.  high,  ornamented  with  stone  balusters  and  pedi- 
ments with  plant  vases,  runs  the  length  and  parallel  with 
the  front  of  the  building,  and  at  a  distance  of  about  100  yds. 
At  each  extremity  of  the  wall  is  a  small  iron  pavilion  of 
suitable  design.  The  terrace  divides  what  are  known  as  the 
Tipper  and  Lower  Gardens.  The  former  is  laid  out  in  beds, 
with  intervening  walks,  and  is  devoted  to  flowers,  vases,  and 
rustic  statuary.  The  lower,  and  all  the  grounds  lying  in 
front  of  the  building  line,  with  the  exception  of  the  flower 
garden,  have  been  laid  out  as  an  arboretum,  with  walks  and 
drives,  and  a  well-selected  collection  of  the  hardier  trees  and 
shrubs.  The  flower  garden  contains  no  shade  trees,  which 
affords  an  unbroken  view  of  the  building.  The  trees  and 
plants  in  the  arboretum  are  planted  on  strictly  botanical 
rules,  the  order  and  tribe  of  plants  being  grouped.  The 
effect,  however,  by  careful  arrangement  of  the  blending 
types  is  peculiarly  atttactive,  and  has  not  the  formal  appear- 
ance of  a  scientific  classification. 

The  collection  embraces  1,600  species  of  plants.  In  the 
rear  of  the  department  building  and  plant  houses  are  the 
Experimental  Grounds,  covering  about  10  a.,  those  lying  in 
the  rear  of  the  plant  houses  being  set  apart  for  experimental 
gardening,  and  those  in  the  rear  of  the  building,  and  occu- 
pying the  SE.  angle  of  the  enclosure,  for  the  experimental 
orchards  and  stables  and  yard.  The  object  of  these  grounds 
is  for  testing  varieties  of  small  fruits,  seeds,  and  for  the  prop- 
agation and  culture  of  hardy  plants.  Along  portion  of  the 
"N.  line  of  the  grounds,  commencing  at  the  W.,  are  artificial 
lakes,  rivers*  and  swamps,  for  the  cultivation  of  type  varieties 
of  water  and  marsh  plants.  The  plans  for  the  grading  and 
laying  out  of  the  grounds  were  prepared  and  carried  into 


158 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


execution  in  1868,  by  William  Saunders,  of  Perm.,,  Superin- 
tendent of  Gardens  and  Grounds.    (Also  see  Plant  Houses.) 

The  Department  Building,  designed  by  Adolph  Cluss,  ar- 
chitect, and  completed  in  1868,  is  of  the  renaissance  style,  170 
ft.  long  by  61  ft.  deep,  with  a  finished  basement,  three  full 
stories  and  Mansard  roof.  It  was  erected  by  contract,  under 
the  superintencence  of  the  architect,  is  constructed  of  pressed 
brick,  with  brown-stone  bases,  belts,  cornices,  and  trimmings, 
and  cost,  including  apparatus  for  laboratory,  $140,420.  The 
front  presents  a  centre  building  with  main  entrances,  and  is 
flanked  by  two  wings. 


A.  Main  Entrance. — Doors,  oak  and  ash  woods  Vestibule,  zo  ft.  square  and 
l6  ft.  high.  Floors,  encaustic  tiles  of  chaste  design.  Walls,  paneled  in  encaustic 
paint.  Ceilings,  in  frescoe,  representing  an  arbor  of  vine  foliage  held  by  American 
eagles,  with  outspread  wings.  Ornamentation  in  arabesque,  mingled  with  four 
medallions,  illustrating,  in  landscape,  light  and  shade  and  human  figures,  the  four 
seasons  of  the  year,  divisions  of  the  day,  and  ages  of  man. 

B.  Main  Staircase  leading  to  the  second  floor  and  Museum  of  Agriculture. 

C  and  D.  Private  Stairs  to  the  second  floor  and  passage  to  cloak  rooms  and  closets. 
The  vestibule  (A)  opens  into  a  wide  corridor,  from  which  the  various  offices,  20  ft. 
square,  are  entered, 

1.  Ante  Room,  finished  in  bird's  eye  maple  and  black  walnut,  in  panels,  and 
represents  a  fine  specimen  of  the  application  of  wood  to  walls,  known  as  "  wood- 
hanging." 

2.  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  finished  in  panels  of  bird's  eye  maple,  bor- 
dered by  friezes  in  mahogany  and  blistered  walnut,  alternating  with  paneled 
pilasters  in  mahogany  and  satin  wood,  all  parted  by  curley  maple,  and  relieved  by 
a  tracing  of  gilt. 

3.  Private  Office  of  Commissioner.  The  friezes  are  of  birch,  borders  of 
black  walnut,  and  panels  of  mountain  ash. 

4.  Library.  A  tastefully  finished  apartment,  supplied  with  mahogany  cases. 
The  collection  of  works,  S,ooo  vols.,  forms  the  most  complete  agricultural  library  in 
the  United  States,  and  comprises  nearly  all  the  standard  works  on  agriculture  and 
kindred  sciences,  reports  of  all  the  State  boards  of  agriculture,  and  agricultural,  horti- 
cultural, and  pomological  societies,  and  the  transactions  of  the  leading  agricultural 
and  scientific  associations  of  England,  France,  Germany,  and  Italy.    The  object  of 


department  of  agriculture— first  floor. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE.  159 


tht  Library  is  for  reference  and  used  in  the  extensive  correspondence  of  the  Depart- 
ment. Persons  interested  are  permitted  to  consult  works,  but  not  to  take  them 
from  the  room.  Among  the  most  interesting  works  is  a  set,  14  vols.,  on  botany, 
illustrating  the  flora  of  Central  Europe,  published  in  Vienna,  and  presented  by  the 
Emperor  of  Austria.  There  are  also  portraits  of  a  number  of  personages,  among 
the  number  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  of  Boston,  the  distinguished  horticulturist. 

$  to  8.  Clerks1  Rooms,  finished  in  encaustic  oil  paint,  plain,  with  frescoed 
ceilings. 

9.  Chemist  and  Microcopist  Room,  is  supplied  with  cases  containing  a  collec- 
tion of  minerals  having  an  agricultural  value.  The  chemist  makes  analyses  of  soils, 
fertilizers,  and  agricultural  productions.  The  results  are  recorded  for  future  refer- 
ence.   The  microscopist  examines  and  reports  upon  the  diseases  of  plants. 

10.  Balance  Room,  contains  a  variety  of  balances  used  in  the  chemical  work. 

11.  Laboratory,  supplied  with  chemicals  and  other  apparatus  used  in  chemical 
experiments.  A  private  stairway  leads  to  the  basement  below,  in  which  are  fur- 
nances,  ovens,  and  other  necessary  conveniences.  The  equipment  of  the  Laboratory 
is  very  complete. 

12.  File  Room. 

13  and  14.  Clerk's  Room,  finished  in  encaustic  paint. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE,  SECOND  FLOOR. 


A.  Stairs  to  the  Botanical  Museum,  Taxidermist's,  and  Modeler's  Rooms. 

B.  Stairs  to  clerk's  rooms. 

15.  Museum  of  Agriculture. — Opposite  the  main  entrance  below,  a  double 
flight  of  stairs  of  wrought  and  cast  iron,  lighted  by  a  large  stained-glass  window, 
leads  to  the  second  floor,  and  into  the  Museum  of  Agriculture.  On  the  first  landing 
is  a  plank  12x63/3  ft  from  the  giant  redwood  tree  of  California.  The  Museum  Hall 
occupies  the  main  building,  and  is  102  ft.  long,  52  ft.  wide,  and  27  ft.  high.  A  coved 
stuccoed  cornice  extends  around  the  hall,  broken  at  regular  intervals  by  brack- 
ets, in  which  are  wrought  busts  of  Indians.  The  cove  is  ornamented  by  flowers  and 
fruits,  with  medallion  shields  bearing  the  arms  of  the  United  States,  and  the  States 
of  the  Union  in  1868  in  their  chronological  order.  The  ceiling  is  divided  into  15 
panels,  embellished  with  rosettes.  A  soft  color,  harmonizing  with  the  ornamenta- 
tion of  the  hall,  is  employed  generally  on  the  walls.  For  the  accommodation  and 
security  of  the  agricultrual  collection,  the  hall  has  been  supplied  with  dust-proof  waU 
nut  cases  of  chaste  design. 

The  Museum  (which  will  be  explained  by  an  attendant)  shows  the  agricultural 
productions  of  the  United  States,  and  manufactures  therefrom,  also  how  the  former 
are  affected  by  climate,  insects,  birds,  and  animals— injurious  and  beneficial.  It  is 
divided  into  general,  State,  and  economic.  The  general  division  illustrates  the  his- 
tory of  agricultural  products.  The  fruits  and  vegetables  are  modeled  in  plaster  of 
Paris,  and  colored  in  oil,  to  represent  nature.  The  State  and  economic  divisions, 
when  completed,  will  show  in  a  single  case  the  mineral  and  agricultural  productions, 


160 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


and  economic  substances  manufactured  therefrom,  cf  each  State.  The  principal  ob- 
ject of  the  museum  is  utility,  to  i?iclude  all  the  products  of  agriculture,  and  bearihg 
upon  the  increase  of  knowledge  in  that  important  branch  of  industry. 

In  the  centre  of  the  hall  is  a  table  of  California  redwood  7x12  ft.  finished  in  other 
native  woods,  and  presented  by  gentlemen  in  California.  The  vase  on  the  table  is 
made  of  Coquina  or  Florida  shell  rock  from  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  taken  from  the 
foundation  of  the  residence  of  the  early  Spanish  colonial  governors. 

Cases  North  Range  commencing  on  the  W.  The  shelf  numbers  count  from 
below.  The  injurious  birds  have  a  perch  with  a  partly  black  end,  and  beneficial,  white. 

1.  Not  yet  erected.    It  is  proposed,  however,  to  place  this  case  shortly. 

2.  I,  American  ducks;  2,  American  small  birds,  arranged  to  show  benefit  or  in- 
jury, with  contents  of  stomachs  in  small  boxes;  3,  American  hawks  and  owls. 

3.  I,  animals — domestic  and  farm  pests;  2,  American  game  birds;  3,  gulls  and 
aquatic  birds. 

4  Domestic  poultry. 

5.  1,  Fish — prepared  skins ;  2  and  3,  foreign  game  birds  that  can  be  or  have  been 

domesticated. 

6.  A  case  has  been  prepared  for  this  space,  and  will  be  erected  at  once. 

7.  Foreign  game  birds. 

g.  California  products  and  miscellaneous  specimens. 

9.  Grains  and  cereals — native 

10.  Grains  and  cereals — native.  The  middle  and  upper  shelves  arranged  by 
States. 

11.  1  and  2,  Temporary  case  of  botanical  specimens. 

12.  1,  Vegetable  fibres — cotton. 

Cases  South  Range  commencing  on  the  E. 

12.  Foreign  woods,  &c. 

13.  1  and  2,  Foreign  grains,  collected  at  the  Paris  Exposition  18675  3i  miscella- 
neous. 

14.  1,  Petroleum,  tobacco;  2,  sugar,  syrups,  &c,  Indian  foods;  3,  farinaceous 
products,  gums,  resins,  &c. 

15.  1  Chinese  paper;  2,  American  and  foreign  paper  and  paper-making  mate- 
rials; 3,  Japanese  paper. 

16.  Silk  from  egg  to  manufactured  goods  of  highest  quality. 

17.  1,  Animal  fibres,  angora  wool;  2,  vegetable  fibres,  ramie  and  aloes;  3,  vege- 
table fibres,  miscellaneous. 

18.  1,  Vegetable  fibres,  cotton;  2,  flax,  flax  cotton,  asdepias;  3,  New  Zealand 
flax,  agaue  fibre  and  miscellaneous  tropical  fibres.  In  a  case  against  the  wall  is  a  fine 
specimen  of  the  cotton  plant. 

19.  The  case  designed  for  this  space  has  not  yet  been  erected. 

Centre  of  the  Hall,  commencing  on  the  west. 

20.  1,  Tropical  fruits — southern  apples;  2,  apples,  (models.') 

21.  I,  Vegetables,  (models;)  2,  apples  and  pears,  (models.) 

22.  I,  Vegetable,  apples,  fish,  (models;)  2,  pears,  (models.) 

23.  1,  Vegetables  and  fruits,  (models ;)  2,  miscellaneous  fruits  and  vegetables, 
(models,)  fungi;  (models  and  natural.) 

The  plan  of  the  museum  was  suggested  and  carried  into  operatiou  by  Townend 
Glover,  entomologist  of  the  Department. 

16.  Statistician. — Here  the  monthly  and  annual  reports  and  statistical  informa- 
tion are  compiled. 

17.  Clerks  of  the  Statistical  Division. 

18.  Ladies1  Retiring  Room. 

iq  Clekks  .       ...  '  ■ 

20.  Cabinet  of  Entomology. — Tne  room,  20  x  30  ft.,  is  supplied  with  suitable 
walnut  cases.  The  collection  comprises  the  insects  of  the  United  States  injurious 
and  beneficial  to  agriculture,  arranged  scientifically,  for  reference.  In  the  open 
cases  is  a  small  collection  of  insects  for  exhibition,  and  specimens  of  insect  injury 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


161 


and  architecture,  both  ex- 
ceedingly interesting. 
The  walls  are  hung  with 
a'scriesof  about  300 plates, 
by  Prof.  Townend  Glo- 
ver, illustrating  the  insects 
in  the  cabinet. 

Hi  Entomologist's 
Private  Room. 

On  the  third  floor,  E. 
wing,  reached  from  A, 
plan  of  the  second  floor, 
is  the  Botanical  Museum. 
It  is  supplied  with  appro- 
priate cases,  and  contains 
2.00  natural  orders  and 
2.5,000  species  of  plants,  a 
space  being  devoted  to 
each  order.  The  speci- 
mens are  arranged  on 
sheets  and  indexed.  The 
first  collection  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  Smithso- 
nian Institution,  and 
comprised  the  specimens 
brought  home  by  the 
Wilkes  expedition.  The 
specimens  gathered  by 
the  various  United  States 
exploring  exprditions  are 
all  deposited  here.  The 
collection  of  plants  of  the 
United  States  is  very  com- 
plete. 

The  rooms  adjoining 
are  occupied  by  the  Tax- 
idermists on  the  W.  and 
Modelers  on  the  S.  The 
former  has  the  preparation 
of  birds  for  the  museum, 
and  their  care.  The  latter 
makes  models  of  fruits  for 
the  museum. 

Over  the  third  floor,  W. 
wing,  reached  from  B, 
plan  of  the  second  floor, 
the  rooms  are  used  for 
clerks. 

Basement  reached 

from  B,  first  floor — con- 
tains Seed  Rooms,  in  west- 
ern portion,  and  rest  Fold- 
ing, Laborers' ',  and  Engi- 
neers^ Rooms,  and  accom- 
modations for  heating  ap- 
paratus and  fuel.  The 
seed-packing  department, 
where  upwards  of  60  per- 
sons are  employed,  is  of 
great  interest. 

11 


162 


DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


Plant  Houses  —On  the  W.  of  the  department  building  are 
the  plant  houses^  commenced  in  1868  from  designs  by  Wil- 
liam Saunders,  Superintendent  of  Gardens  and  Grounds. 
The  main  structure  is  320  ft.  long  and  30  ft.  wide  E.  and  W., 
with  a  wing  150  long  projecting  to  the  rear  or  S.  of  the  centre 
of  the  main  building.  The  centre  pavilion  is  60  ft.  long,  32 
ft.  wide,  and  30  ft.  high,  and  is  devoted  to  palms  and  the 
larger  tropical  plants,  such  as  bananas.  The  pavilions  at 
the  extremity  of  the  wings  are  30  ft.  square,  26  ft.  high,  and 
are  the  orangery,  and  for  other  semi-tropical  fruits.  These 
terminal  pavilions  are  joined  to  the  centre  by  connecting 
ranges  100  ft.  long,  25  ft.  wide,  and  17  ft.  high,  and  are  oc- 
cupied by  the  miscellaneous  collection  of  plants  of  practical 
use,  such  as  medical  plants  and  those  furnishing  textile  fibres, 
useful  gums,  sugars,  and  dyes.  The  S.  projecting  wing  is 
the  grapery \  and  contains  a  collection  of  foreign  grapes.  The 
roots  are  planted  in  borders  on  the  outside,  and  the  stems 
conducted  into  the  grapery  through  apertures  in  the  brick 
wall.  The  dark  varieties  are  on  the  W.  side,  and  the  light 
on  the  E.    There  are  100  varieties  in  all. 

The  plant  houses  are  heated  by  means  of  hot  water,  circulated  through  5,000  ft. 
of  4-in  pipe,  and  supplied  by  two  boilers.  The  boilers  are  arranged  with  a  cut-off, 
so  that  they  may  be  operated  separately  or  together. 

These  houses  have  foundation  walls  of  red  sandstone,  with  bluestone  bases  and 
caps.  The  doors  and  windows  of  the  centre  and  wings  are  designed  in  moresque 
arches.  Brackets  uphold  the  cornice  from  which  the  cupola  roof  rises.  The  main 
entrance  projects  from  the  main  building,  and  has  three  arched  openings  The 
frame  of  the  structure  is  of  iron  and  wood  substantially  built,  and  cost  $25,000. 
The  roof  is  covered  with  American  glass  of  double  thickness,  and  curved  expressly 
for  the  purpose. 

Commissioners  of  Agriculture. — 1862,  Isaac  Newton,  Penn.;  1867,  John  W.  Stokes 
Penn.,  (acting;)  1867,  Horace  Capron,  111.;  1871,  Frederick  Watts,  Penn. 

History—Underact  July  4, 1856,  Henry  L.Ellsworth,  Commissioner  of  Patents, 
gave  attention  to  the  distribution  of  rare  grains,  seeds,  and  plants,  in  the  collection 
of  which  he  was  aided  by  the  diplomatic  and  consular  officers  of  the  United  States 
in  foreign  countries.  In  1839  $1,000  were  appropriated  for  the  purpose.  This  gave 
rise  to  the  agricultural  division  of  the  Patent  Office. 

In  1858  a  Propagating  Garden  was  established  on  that  portion  of  the  public  grounds 
lying  along  the  S.  side  of  Missouri  av.,  bet.  4^  and  6th  sts.  N.,  for  the  purpose  of 
testing  sorghum  and  Chinese  sugar  cane.  In  1868  these  operations  were  removed 
to  the  present  more  extensive  grounds.  1, 

The -  Department  of  Agriculture  was  established  by  act  of  Congress  dated  May  15, 
1862,  41  to  acquire  and  diffuse  among  the  people  of  the  United  States  useful  infor- 
mation on  subjects  connected  with  agriculture  in  the  most  general  and  comprehen- 
sive sense  of  that  word,  and  to  procure,  propagate,  and  distribute  among  the  people 
new  and  valuable  seeds  and  plants."  The  chief  executive  officer  was  to  be  known 
as  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  to  be  appointed  by  the  President  and  confirmed 
by  the  Senate.  The  Department,  before  occupying  its  present  abode,  had  rooms  in 
the  basement  of  the  Patent  Office.  j^^^v, 

There  are  now  annually  distributed  about  1,200,000  packages  of  seeds,  and  25,000 
bulbs,  vines,  cuttings,  and  plants.  MtrM 

The  publications  cf  the  Department  consist  of  an  annual  report  of  about  700  pages 
octavo,  227,000  to  275,000  printed  for  distribution,  and  monthly  reports  of  about  45 
pages  octavo,  on  the  condition  of  the  crops.    28,000  printed. 


NAVAL  OBSERVATORY. 


163 


NAVAL  OBSEKVATOKY. 

The  United  States  Naval  Observatory  is  one  of  the  leading 
astronomical  establishments  in  the  world.  It  is  open  every 
day,  except  Sunday,  from  9  a,  m.  to  3  p.  m.  The  watchman 
will  show  visitors  through  the  building.  Night  visits  are  very 
much  restricted  in  consequence  of  the  interference  with  the 
astronomical  work.  The  street  cars  on  Pennsylvania  av.  run 
within  10  min.  walk.  Alight  at  24th  st.  W.,  south  side.  Vis- 
itors afoot  may  reach  the  Observatory  by  following  New 
York  av.  W.  of  the  State,  War,  and  Navy  Department  to  E 
st.  N.,  thence  by  the  latter  to  24th  st.  W. 

Grounds. — The  Observatory  occupies  a  commanding  site 
on  the  N.  bank  of  the  Potomac,  96  ft.  above  tide,  and  origin- 
ally known  as  Peters'1  Hill,  after  its  proprietor.  The  beauti- 
ful grounds  comprise  19  a.  within  the  walls,  and  constitute 
Reservation  No.  4  on  the  original  plat  of  the  city. 


NAVAL  OBSERVATORY. 

There  are  many  interesting  historical  associations  connected  with  the  site.  In  1755 
portion  of  Braddock's  army  camped  here  on  the  march  from  Alexandria  to  the  fatal 
field  on  the  Monongahela.  On  the  Potomac  bank  is  a  rock  upon  which  the  troops 
were  landed,  and  known  as  Braddock's  rock.  In  1792  it  was  proposed  to  erect  a  fort 
and  barracks  on  the  N.  portions  of  the  reservation.  It  was  a  favorite  project  with 
Washington  to  establish  a  national  university  here.  The  grounds  were  named  Uni- 
versity Square  from  this  fact.  In  181  J-' 14  part  of  the  American  army  encamped  on 
the  hill,  from  which  fact  it  was  long  known  as  Camp  Hill,  and  advanced  to  Bladens- 
burg  for  the  defense  of  the  city  against  the  English. 

The  Observatory,  founded  in  1842,  is  under  the  direction  of 
the  Bureau  of  Navigation,  Navy  Department.  The  reserva- 
tion in  the  centre  of  which  it  stands  was  selected  for  the  pur- 
pose by  President  Tyler. 

Buildings. — The  central  building,  completed  in  1844,  is  50 
ft.  sq.,  consisting  of  a  basement  and  2  stories,  with  a  crown- 
ing parapet  and  balustrade,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  dome. 


164 


NAVAL  OBSERVATORY. 


On  the  E.  and  W.  are  icings,  each  26 \  ft.  long',  21  ft.  wide, 
and  18  ft.  high.  At  the  end  of  the  former  is  the  residence  of 
the  superintendent,  and  the  latter,  an  observing-room,  40  ft. 
by  281-  ft.,  built  in  1869.  The  projection  on  the  S.  is  60  ft. 
long*,  and  terminates  in  the  great  dome.  Visitors  are  expect- 
ed to  register  their  names  in  the  book  opposite  the  main 
entrance. 

Booms  and  Instruments. — Tlie  numbers  refer  to  the  diagram 
of  ground  plan. 

I. '  Pier  of  Equatorial,  brick,  imbedded  17  ft  in  the  earth,  conical,  is  12  ft. 
in  diameter  at  the  surface  line,  7  ft  at  top,  28  ft.  high,  and  is  capped  with  a  pedestal 
of  stone  weighing  7%  tons.  Over  the  pier  is  a  dome  25  ft.  in  diameter,  rising  20  ft. 
above  the  roof,  and  provided  with  a  slip.  The  dome  revolves  on  six  24-lb.  shot. 
This  Equatorial,  purchased  in  1845,  was  made  by  Merz  and  Mahler,  Munich,  cost 
$6,000.  Object-glass,  9.62  in.,  clear  aperture;  focal  length,  14  ft.  4.5  in.  Its  work 
is  chiefly  upon  the  smaller  planets,  asteroids,  and  comets. 

II.  Superintendent's  Office. — Here  is  an  electro-chronograph,  in  a  marble  case, 
invented  by  Prof.  John  L.  Locke,  1848.  It  is  connected  by  electric  wires  with  the 
clocks  in  the  Executive  Departments,  Weather  Signal  Office,  and  Western  Union 
Telegraph  Office.  The  current  is  continually  passing,  the  pendulums  of  all  the  clocks 
beating  together.  In  the  adjacent  hall  is  a  superbly-carved  black  walnut  switch-board, 
made  by  the  Western  Electric  Manufacturing  Company,  Chicago,  and  purchased  in 
1874.  The  frame  takes  no  wires,  and  has  3,000  combinations.  Through  this  the 
clocks,  chronographs,  and  instruments  are  placed  in  communication  with  each  other 
and  with  the  telegraphic  system  of  the  world.    The  old  switch-board  is  opposite. 

III.  General  Office.  IV.  Office  of  Naval  Officer  in  Charge  of 
Chronometers.    V.  Packing-Room. 

VI.  Mural  Circle  and  Transit,  with  clock  and  chronograph.  Mural  Cir- 
cle, made  by  Troughton  &  Simms,  London,  1843;  erected  in  1844.  Object-glass, 
4.10  in.,  clear  aperture ;  focal  length,  5  ft.  3.8  in. ;  diameter  at  graduation,  60.35  in. ; 
is  divided  into  every  5  min.,  and  is  supplied  with  reading  microscopes.  Its  use  is  for 
observing  declinations  of  stars.  Transit,  made  by  Ertel  &  Son,  Munich,  1844  j  erect- 
<ed  the  same  year.  Object-glass  5  33  in.,  clear  aperture ;  focal  length,  7  ft  0.4  in. 
Used  for  observing  the  right  ascension  of  stars.  These  were  the  principal  instru- 
ments used  by  Prof.  Yarnell  in  making  his  Catalogue  0/10,658  Stars. 

VII.  Chronometer-Room,  in  which  the  chronometers  of  the  navy,  when  not 
in  actual  use,  are  kept  and  rated.  The  average  number  here  is  200.  They  are 
wound  and  compared  with  a  standard, daily,  and  a  record  kept  of  their  variation  by 
the  naval  officer  in  charge.  In  the  same  room  is  a  standard  mean-time  clock,  with 
necessary  apparatus,  from  which  at  meridian  each  day  exact  time  is  dispatched.  The 
naval  officer  in  charge,  at  3  min.  before  noon,  connects  the  clock  through  the  foot 
of  the  pendulum  with  electric  wires,  and  at  mean  noon  taps  the  electric  key,  simul- 
taneously giving  the  instant  of  mean  noon  to  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Com- 
pany's offices,  and  thence  all  over  the  U.  S.  The  ball  over  the  Observatory  is 
•dropped  at  tne  same  moment. 

VIII.  Library. — In  1844  this  consisted  of  200  vols  of  astronomical  works,  do- 
nated by  the  Greenwich,  Paris,  Berlin,  and  Vienna  Observatories.  It  now  com- 
prises 6^000  vols.,  some  very  rare,  dating  in  1482,  relating  to  astronomy,  meteorolo- 
gy, and  kindred  sciences,  and  is  the  most  complete  of  the  kind  on  the  western  hemi- 
sphere. 

IX.  Siderial  Clock,  made  by  Kessels,  of  Altona,  Germany,  is  used  as  the 
standard  clock  of  the  Observatory. 

X.  Transit  Circle,  made  by  Pistor  &  Martins,  Berlin,  was  first  mounted  in 
the  present  Library  in  1865.  Object-glass,  8  52  in  ,  clear  aperture;  focal  length,  12 
ft.  1  in.;  outer  diameter  of  its  circles,  45.30  in.,  and  at  the  graduation,  43.40  in: 
Both  circles  are  divided  to  every  2  min.,  and  are  fitted  with  reading  microscopes. 
The  collimators,  for  adjusting  the  instrument,  have  a  focal  leng'h  of  2  ft.  II  in. 
Use:  observation  of  the  positions  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  planets.  In  the  same  room 
is  a  chronograph,  made  by  Alvan  Clark  &  Sons,  from  designs  by  Prof.  Wm.  Hark- 
ness.  It  records  by  electric  wires  the  times  at  which  observations  are  made. 


NAVAL  OBSERVATORY. 


165 


XI.  Prime  Vertical  Transit,  made  by  Pistor  &  Martins,  Berlin,  was  erect- 
ed in  1844.  Object-glass,  4.8S  in.,  clear  aperture  j  focal  length,  6  ft.  5  in.  Is  used 
cnly  for  declinations. 

XII.  Machine  Shop.  XIII.  Room  of  Officer  in  Charge  of  thh  Great 
Equatorial.  XIV.  Sleeping  Apartment  of  Officer  in  Charge  of  thh 
Great  Equatorial. 

XV.  Great  Equatorial, 
mounted  in  1873,  made  by  Al- 
van  Clark  &  Sons,  Cambridge- 
port,  Mass.  Object-glass,  26 
in.,  clear  aperture;  focal 
length,  32.3^  ft.,  cost  $47,000. 
The  rough  lump  of  glass  was 
cast  by  Chance  &  Co.,  Birm- 
ingham, England.  The  in- 
strument rests  upon  a  double 
pier  of  masonry,  imbedded  17 
ft.  in  the  earth.  The  pier 
above  the  floor  is  of  brick, 
arched,  and  has  a  cap  consist- 
ing of  a  solid  block  of  red  sand- 
stone, 8  ft.  long  by  2  ft.  wide 
and  high.  On  top  of  this  is  an 
iron  support  weighing  1,100 
lbs.,  to  receive  the  axis  upon 
which  the  telescope  is  mount- 
ed. The  instrument  with  its 
base  weighs  6  tons.    The  in- 


naval  observatory,  ground  plan. 

means  of  suitable  gearing.  The  instrument  is  the  largest  refractor  in  the  world. 
The  next  in  size  is  in  the  private  observatory  of  R.  S.  Newall,  Gateshead,  England> 
and  has  25  in.  of  clear  aperture. 

XVI.  Residence  of  the  Superintendent. 

The  rooms  on  the  second  floor  of  the  main  building  are  used 
by  officers  in  charge  of  the  various  instruments  and  their 
assistants.  The  view  from  the  platform  around  the  dome  is 
very  fine.  To  the  top  of  the  staff  over  the  dome  a  black  can- 
vass 6aZZ,  ft.  in  diameter,  is  hoisted  daily  a  few  minutes 
before  noon,  and  by  means  of  a  steel  spring,  governed  by  a 
magnet  and  operated  from  the  chronometer-room,  is  dropped 
011  the  instant  of  mean  noon. 


strument  is  equatoriall} 
mounted,  the  general  plan 
being  that  devised  by  Fraun- 
hofer,  modified  by  Messrs. 
Clark  and  Prof.  S.  Newcomb, 
and  is  run  by  a  reaction  watet 
wheel.  It  is  fitted  with  mi- 
chrometers,  spectroscopes,  &c. 
The  tube  is  of  sheet  steel, 
rolled  in  Pittsburgh.  There 
is  also  a  chronograph  con- 
nected with  the  instrument. 
The  great  equatorial  is  plac- 
ed in  an  iron  dome  41  ft.  in 
diameter  and  40  ft.  in  height, 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $14,000. 
The  superstructure  rests  on 
a  stone  foundation.  The  roof 
is  supplied  with  a  slip,  re- 
volves on  conical  wheels, 
and  is  easily  moved  horizont- 
ally in  either  direction  by 


ARMY  MEDICAL  MUSEUM. 


Superintendents  of  the  Depot  of  Charts  and  Instruments.  — 1830,  Lieut.  L.  M. 
Goldsborough  j  183 ?,  Lieut.  Charles  Wilkes ;  1836,  Lieut.  Hitchcock;  1838,  Lieut. 
J.  M.  Gilliss.  Of  the  Naval  Observatory. — 1844.,  Commander  M.  F.  Maury;  1861, 
Capt.  J.  M.  Gilliss;  i86$,  Rear  Admiral  C.  H.  Davis;  1867,  Rear  Admiral  B.  F. 
Sands  ;  1874,  Rear  Admiral  C.  H.  Davis 

History. — The  first  action  of  Congress  towards  the  establishment  of  an  observa- 
tory was  in  1821,  in  the  passage  of  a  joint  resolution  to  ascertain  the  longitude  of  the 
Capitol  from  Greenwich,  first  proposed  by  VVm.  Lambert,  of  Va.,  in  1810.  In  1830 
a  bureau,  for  the  care  of  the  instruments  and  charts  of  the  navy,  was  created.  A 
small  30-in  transit  was  erected  at  the  same  time.  A  series  of  observations  were  car- 
ried on  in  connection  with  the  Wilkes  Exploring  Ex/edition,  i838-'42.  In  1842  a 
44 permanent  depot''''  was  established.  In  1850  the  meridian  of  the  Observatory  at 
Washington  was  adopted  as  the  American  meridian  for  astronomical  and  that  of 
Greenwich  for  all  nautical  purposes.  Long,  of  Observatory,  770  3'  W.  of 
Greenwich;  lat.,  380  53'  j8".8  N. 


ARMY  MEDICAL  MUSEUM. 

The  Army  Medical  Museum  (open  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
from  9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.)  stands  on  the  E.  side  of  10th  st.  W., 
about  midway  between  E  and  F  sts.  IS".  It  is  a  plain  brick 
structure,  painted  dark  brown,  3  stories  high,  71  ft.  front,  and 
109  ft.  deep.  The  building  was  originally  a  church,  and  then 
a  theatre,  known  as  Ford's  Theatre,  and  was  the  scene  of  the 
tragedy  of  April  14,  1865 — the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln.  The  building  was  immediately  closed  by  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  in  April,  1866,  Congress  purchased  it  for  $100,- 
000,  for  the  purpose  to  which  it  is  now  applied.  The  interior 
was  taken  out,  remodeled,  and  made  tire-proof,  under  direc- 
tion of  Surgeon  General  Barnes.  There  is  now  no  trace  of 
the  exact  scene  of  the  assassination.  Its  location  was  on  the 
r.,  about  the  centre  of  what  is  now  the  second  floor.  The  as- 
sassin took  his  last  drink  in  the  restaurant,  which  occupied 
the  first  floor  of  the  S.  wing,  now  the  Chemical  Laboratory. 
The  President  was  conveyed  to  the  house  No.  516,  opposite, 
and  died  in  the  back  room  of  the  first  floor. 

On  the  side,  in  the  rear  of  the  building,  is  a  small  wing, 
occupied  by  the  Museum  workshops,  and  in  front,  on  the  S. 
side,  is  another  wing,  used  by  the  Chemical  Laboratory  and 
the  officers  on  duty.  The  main  entrance  is  in  the  S.  portion 
of  the  front,  and  the  Museum  is  in  the  third  story,  at  the  top 
of  the  stairway.  The  first  floor  is  occupied  by  the  record 
and  pension  division  of  the  Surgeon  General's  Office,  contain- 
ing the  papers  belonging  to  the  military  hospitals  and  monthly 
sick  reports  of  the  army  during  the  rebellion,  1861-65,  and 
are  stil!  received  from  the  various  posts  of  the  regular  army. 
The  hospital  records  number  over  16,000  vols.  The  payment 
of  pensions  is  based  upon  information  received  from  these  rec- 
ords. The  alphabetical  registers  contain  about  300,000  names 


ARMY  MEDICAL  MUSEUM. 


167 


of  the  dead  of  the  army.  The  Chemical  Laboratory  in  the  S. 
wing  is  charged  with  the  examination  of  alleged  adulterations 
of  medicines  and  hospital  supplies,  and  other  investigations 
of  a  similar  nature  which  come  before  the  Surgeon  General. 
The  second  floor  contains  the  surgical  records.  In  the  S.  wing, 
on  this  floor,  are  the  offices  of  the  Surgeon  General  and  sur- 
geon in  charge.  Here  are  portraits  of  Surgeon  General  Lovel, 
John  Hunter,  (a  copy  from  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds,)  philosophi- 
cal writer  on  surgery,  Dr.  Morton,  author  of  Crania  Ameri- 
cana, and  Dr.  Physic,  an  original  by  Rembrandt  Peale. 

Museum. — The  Museum  on  the  third  floor  is  well  lighted 
in  front  and  rear  and  by  a  large  central  skylight,  which  also 
lights  the  floors  below  through  oblong  openings.  The  attend- 
ant in  the  room  will  answer  questions  and  point  out  objects 
of  special  interest. 

The  specimens,  arranged  in  cases  and  otherwise,  number 
16,000,  and  are  divided  into  six  sections,  viz:  I.  Surgical 
Section,  embracing  specimens  of  the  effects  of  missiles  of 
every  variety  on  all  parts  of  the  body,  extremely  interest- 
ing ;  the  stages  of  repair ;  morbid  conditions,  calculi,  tumors, 
&c. ;  plaster  casts  representing  mutilations  resulting  from 
injuries  and  surgical  operations;  examples  of  missiles  ex- 
tracted from  wounds ;  preparations  exhibiting  the  effects  of 
injuries  peculiar  to  Indian  hostilities.  In  this  section  are 
the  bones  of  the  amputated  portions  of  the  legs  of  eight 
generals,  and  a  portion  of  the  vertebrae  of  the  neck  of  Booth, 
the  assassin.  II.  Medical  Section,  consisting  of  specimens 
illustrating  the  morbid  conditions  of  the  internal  organs  in 
fever,  chronic  dysentery,  and  other  camp  diseases ;  the  mor- 
bid anatomy  of  the  diseases  of  civil  life;  and  pathological 
pieces  relating  to  the  diseases  of  women  and  children,  mal- 
formations, and  monstrosities.  III.  Microscopical  Section, 
including  thin  sections  of  diseased  tissues  or  organs,  suitably 
mounted  for  microscopical  study,  and  a  variety  of  prepara- 
tions exhibiting  the  minute  anatomy  of  normal  structures. 
An  interesting  branch  of  this  section  is  the  success  attained 
in  photo-micography,  the  process  by  which  the  most  delicate 
microscopical  preparations  can  be  photographed  to  a  magni- 
fying power  of  4,500  diameters.  IY.  Anatomical  Section, 
embracing  skeletons,  separated  crania,  and  other  prepara- 
tions of  the  anatomy  of  the  human  frame.  The  collection  of 
human  crania,  with  a  view  to  ethnological  study,  and  espe- 
cially relating  to  the  aboriginal  race  of  the  United  States,  is 
very  complete,  numbering  about  1,000  specimens.  Y.  Section 
of  Comparative  Anatomy,  embracing  over  1,000  specimens  of 
skeletons  oi  buffalo,  deer,  bear,  and  other  American  mammals, 


168 


GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 


with  birds,  reptiles,  and  fishes.  VI.  Miscellaneous  Section, 
including  models  of  hospitals,  barracks,  ambulances,  and 
medicine  wagons,  a  collection  of  surgical  instruments,  arti- 
ficial limbs,  and  other  articles  of  interest.  The  object  of  the 
Museum  is  not  to  gratify  public  curiosity,  but  was  founded 
and  is  carried  on  in  the  interests  of  science.  It  is  the  finest 
collection  of  the  kind  in  the  world,  and  is  resorted  to  by  sur- 
gical and  medical  students  and  writers  from  all  parts  of  the 
United  States  and  abroad.  The  original  design  of  the  Museum 
was  the  collection  of  specimens  illustrative  of  military  surgery 
and  camp  diseases  for  the  education  of  medical  men  for  mili- 
tary service.  The  Medical  and  Surgical  History  of  the  War 
was  compiled  from  the  records  of  the  museum. 


GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE. 

The  Government  Printing  Office  and  Bindery  (open  every 
day,  except  Sunday,  from  8  a.  m.  to  5.  p.  m.)  occupies  an 
L-shaped  brick  building,  on  the  SW.  corner  of  H  and  North 
Capitol  sts.  The  Office  may  be  reached  by  the  Columbia 
Horse  Railway,  Visitors  should  alight  and  enter  by  the  door 
nearest  N.  Capitol  st.  There  is  also  a  public  entrance  on  the 
latter  st.  It  will  be  necessary  for  strangers  to  state  to  the 
watchman  at  either  door  that  they  desire  to  visit  the  build- 
ing. The  building  measures  300  ft.  on  II  St.,  and  175  ft.  on 
N.  Capitol  St.,  and  is  60  ft.  deep  and  four  stories  high.  The 
building,  without  the  addition  of  an  extension  of  60  ft.  on  the 
W.  end,  and  an  L  of  113  ft.  on  the  E.  end,  made  in  1871,  was 
purchased  in  1860  by  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Printing, 
an  office  then  created  under  authority  of  an  act  of  Congress. 
It  had  previously  belonged  to  Cornelius  Wendell,  and  was 
then  used  as  a  printing  office,  under  the  contract  system. 
The  object  of  the  purchase  wTas  the  execution  of  the  printing 
and  binding  authorized  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, the  Executive  and  Judicial  Departments,  and  the 
Court  of  Claims.  Connected  with  the  main  building  are  a 
paper  warehouse,  machine  shops,  boiler  and  coal  houses, 
wagon  shed  and  stable. 

On  the  first  floor  arc  the  press,  wetting,  drying,  and  engine 
rooms.  The  presses  include  a  variety  of  patterns,  and  are 
adapted  to  every  species  of  work.  There  are  52  in  all,  from 
the  immense  Bullock  press  to  the  small  Gordon.  On  the 
second  floor  are  the  composing-room,  with  300  stands,  the 


GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE.  169 


proof-reading  rooms,  the  electro  and  stereotype  foundery,  and 
the  offices  of  the  Congressional  Printer.  On  the  third  floor 
is  the  bindery,  including  embossing,  numbering,  paging,  rul- 
ing, stamping,  stitching,  marbling,  and  all  other  branches. 
The  process  of  marbling  is  particularly  interesting.  On  the 
fourth  floor  are  the  stitching  and  folding  rooms  and  the  Con- 
gressional Record  office,  with  a  capacity  of  working  100  men. 
The  Record,  containing  the  proceedings  and  debates  of  Con- 
gress, now  printed  at  the  Public  Printing  Office,  is  issued 
every  day  at  6  A.  M.  during  the  session  of  Congress.  All 
bills  and  reports,  without  regard  to  length,  are  delivered  in 
print  to  Congress  the  day  following  their  presentation. 

The  Public  Printing  Office  is  the  largest  establishment  of 
the  kind  in  the  world.  The  capacity  for  work  is  practically 
without  limit.  Upwards  of  120,000  pages  of  documentary 
composition  and  1,000,000  volumes  of  that  class  of  work  have 
been  turned  out  in  a  single  year.  The  finest  works  printed 
here  are  the  Medical  and  Surgical  History  of  the  War ;  the 
reports  of  the  Paris  Exposition  ;  Astronomical  Observations 
of  the  Naval  Observatory;  the  Census  of  1870;  the  Case  of 
the  United  States  before  the  Tribunal  of  Arbitration  at  Gen- 
eva, in  English,  French,  and  Portuguese  ;  professional  papers 
of  the  Bureau  of  Engineers,  War  Department ;  the  Darien 
and  Tehuantepec  Ship-canal  Expeditions;  Hay  den's  Final 
Surveys ;  Clarence  King's  Surveys  of  the  40th  Parallel ;  the 
Coast  Survey  Reports ;  and  general  Catalogues  of  the  Libra- 
ries of  the  United  States  and  the  Surgeon  General's  Office. 

Public  Printers. — Superintendents,  1853,  J.  T.  Towers, 
D.  C;  1854,  A.  G.  Seaman,  Penn.;  1858,  G.  W.  Bowman, 
Perm. ;  1860,  John  Heart,  Penn.;  1861,  J.  D.  Defrees,  Ind.  ; 
1866,  C.  Wendell,  N.  Y.  Congressional  Printers— 1867 ',  J. 
D.  Defrees,  Ind. ;  1869,  A.  M.  Clapp,  N.  Y. 

The  office  is  divided  into  the  Composing  Department,  H. 
T.  Brian,  Foreman  of  Printing;  Electro  and  Stereotyping, 
A.  Elliott,  jr.,  Maurice  Joyce;  Bindery,  J.  H.  Roberts. 

In  1852  the  old  contract  system  of  public  printing  was 
abolished,  and  the  office  of  Superintendent  of  Public  Print- 
ing for  each  House  of  Congress  was  created.  The  wTork, 
though  still  executed  by  contract,  was  then  done  under  the 
direction  of  those  officers.  In  1860  Congress  took  the  public 
printing  in  their  own  handstand  in  1867  the  office  of  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Printing  was  abolished,  and  instead  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  was  authorized  to  elect  some 
competent  person,  a  practical  printer,  to  take  charge  of  the 
Government  Printing  Office. 


170 


winder's  building. 


WINDER'S  BUILDING. 

This  structure  {open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  9  a. 
m.  to  3  p.  in.)  is  situated  on  the  N  W.  corner  of  F  and  17th  sts., 
opposite  the  Navy  Department.  It  was  originally  erected 
for  a  hotel,  and  was  purchased  by  the  Government  for  the 
accommodation  of  public  offices.  The  first  floor  is  occupied 
principally  by  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Army,  The  last 
room,  No.  2,  on  the  corridor  leading  to  the  r.  after  entering 
is  the  Battle  Record  Room,  in  which  the  reports  of  the  battles 
of  the  late  war  are  filed  and  indexed.  On  the  r.  of  the  S. 
corridor,  No.  13,  is  afle  room  for  the  papers  belonging  to  the 
Adjutant  General's  Office.  The  second  floor,  E.  front,  is 
devoted  to  the  Judge  Advocate  General  of  the  Army,  and  the 
S.  to  the  Ordnance  Office.  The  floors  above  are  assigned  to 
the  Second  Auditor  of  the  Treasury  Department. 

Ordnance  Museum. — (Open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from 
9  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.) — This  interesting  military  collection  is  on 
the  second  floor,  and  may  be  reached  by  ascending  the  steps 
opposite  the  main  door,  and  keeping  the  corridors  to  the  r., 
passing  through  the  door  marked  4 4  Ordnance  Office  "  to  door 
No.  49  on  the  r.  at  the  farther  end  of  the  corridor;  crossing 
this  room  and  the  connecting  hall  we  enter  the  Museum, 
which  occupies  a  detached  building.  The  collection  occupies 
two  fine  halls.  The  most  conspicuous  object  on  entering  are 
the  captured  Confederate  flags.  They  are  all  more  or  less 
associated  with  the  battles  of  the  late  civil  strife.  The  other 
objects  of  interest  are  United  States  Army  infantry  and  cav- 
alry uniforms  and  accoutrements  complete;  section  of  an 
oak,  which  stood  inside  the  Confederate  entrenchments  near 
Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  and  was  cut  down  by  musket  balls  in 
the  attempt  to  recapture  the  works  carried  by  2d  Corps  A. 
P.,  May  12,  1864;  Jefferson  Davis'  rifle,  a  French  piece, 
taken  at  the  time  of  his  capture  in  1865 ;  artillery,  cavalry, 
and  infantry  accoutrements  used  in  the  U.  S.  Army  from  the 
earliest  date;  cheveaux-de-frise  from  front  of  Petersburg, 
Va. ;  models  and  drawings  of  arsenals ;  fuses  for  exploding 
shells  and  cannon ;  shells  picked  up  on  the  battle-fields ;  cart- 
ridge bags  for  field,  siege,  and  sea-coast  artillery,  the  largest 
containing  100  lbs. ;  projectiles  of  various  sizes,  both  spherical 
and  rifled,  the  largest  being  20  in.  in  diameter,  and  weighing 
1,000  lbs. ;  portable  cavalry  forge  and  tools  complete ;  Gat- 
ling  guns  of  various  sizes,  including  the  " Camel"  gun 
mounted  on  tripod,  and  of  which  large  numbers  are  in  use 
in  Egypt ;  a  Billinghurst  and  Eequia  battery ;  a  Union  or 


CITY  HALL. 


171 


"coffee-mill"  gun  ;  a  steel  Whitworth  gun,  one  of  a  battery 
from  loyal  Americans  in  Europe  to  the  United  States  in  1861 ; 
the  carriage  of  a  4  lb.  cannon,  formerly  the  property  of  the 
city  of  Vicksburg,  fired  at  a  passing  steamer  several  days 
before  any  guns  were  fired  at  United  States  forts  or  troops 
at  Charleston  or  Pensacola— the  gun  is  at  West  Point ;  breech 
loaders  captured  at  Richmond;  confederate  projectiles; 
models  complete,  showing  mountings  of  guns  in  casemate 
and  barbette,  also  mortars;  a  gun  mounted  on  a  saddle; 
models  of  field  and  siege  artillery,  caissons,  forges,  and  bat- 
tery wagons  used  in  the  U.  S.  Army ;  life-size  models  of 
horse  artillery  equipments,  ordnance  rockets,  and  fireworks. 

On  the  second  floor  is  the  Museum  of  small  arms,  in  which 
can  be  traced  then-  history  from  the  beginning,  and  practically 
illustrating  the  stages  of  advancement,  embracing  breech  and 
muzzle-loaders,  muskets,  rifles,  and  carbines,  armor  1610, 
cuirass,  and  helmet,  and  other  relics  from  the  battle-field  of 
Sedan,  1870,  foreign  arms  and  cavalry  equipments,  Indian 
war  clubs,  and  ancient  weapons  and  wall  pieces,  Japanese 
two-handed  sword,  worn  by  Konclo,  a  provincial  officer,  visit- 
ing the  U.  S.  in  1871,  presented  by  Arinori  Mori,  Charge 
d' Affairs,  and  captured  Confederate  arms. 


DISTRICT  COURT-HOUSE,  (FORMERLY  CITY  HALL.) 


DISTRICT  COURT  HOUSE. 

The  City  Hall,  until  1871,  occupied  jointly  by  the  munici- 
pal government  of  Washington  and  the  United  States  Courts 


172 


ARSENAL. 


for  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  1873,  by  purchase,  became  the 
sole  property  of  the  United  States,  and  is  now  entirely  devoted 
to  judicial  purposes.  The  structure  stands  on  the  S.  line  of 
Judiciary  Square,  fronting  4J  st.  W.,  and  at  the  intersection 
of  Louisiana  and  Indiana  avs.  In  the  open  space  in  front  is 
a  marble  column  surmounted  by  a  statue  of  Lincoln  by  Lot 
Flannery,  a  self-taught  sculptor.  It  was  erected  out  of  the 
contributions  of  a  number  of  patriotic  citizens.  The  building 
was  commenced  in  1820,  from  plans  by  George  Hadfield,  the 
architect  of  the  Capitol.  The  E.  wing  was  finished  in  1826, 
and  the  W.  in  1849.  It  is  two  stories,  47  ft.  high,  and  con- 
sists of  a  recessed  centre  150  ft.  long,  with  two  projecting 
wings,  each  50  ft.  front  and  166  ft.  deep.  The  entire  frontage 
is  250  ft.  The  structure  is  built  of  freestone  painted  white. 
In  the  centre  of  the  main  building,  and  in  each  wing,  are  re- 
cessed porticos,  formed  of  Doric  columns.  Between  the  wings 
is  a  paved  space. 


AESENAL. 

The  arsenal  {open  from  sunrise  to  sunset)  occupies  a  tract  of 
45  a.  at  the  extreme  S.  point  of  the  city.  It  is  accessible  by 
the  9th-st.  line  of  the  Metropolitan  horse  railway,  the  terminus 
of  which  is  near  the  gate,  at  the  foot  of  4J  st.  W.  The  tract 
originally  comprised  28  J  a.,  and  included  the  point  of  land  at 
the  confluence  of  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  rivers,  extend- 
ing from  the  former  stream  to  the  mouth  of  James  Creek, 
and  N.  to  T  st.  S.  In  1857  it  was  extended,  by  the  purchase 
of  the  adjoining  land  on  the  N.,  (16  a.,)  between  the  Potomac 
and  the  James  Creek  Canal,  to  P  st.  S. 

The  grounds  are  laid  out  in  walks  and  drives,  and  entered 
through  a  gateway  consisting  of  iron  gates  swung  on  32  and 
24-pdr.  cannon.  The  guard  room  is  on  the  L,  and  on  the 
r.  is  a  15-in.  Rodman  gun,  and  below  a  pendulum  house,  in 
which  is  a  pendulum  balance  for  testing  the  force  of  gun- 
powder. The  Chief  of  Ordnance  resides  at  the  end  of  the 
main  drive,  in  the  large  building  on  the  L,  and  opposite  are 
officers'  quarters.  The  old  quarters  and  shops  are  at  the  S. 
extremity  of  the  grounds,  about  -§  m. 

The  body  of  Booth,  the  assassin  of  President  Lincoln,  was  landed  at  the 
small  wharf  at  the  S.  W.  end  of  the  peninsula.  It  was,  with  the  bodies  of  the 
other  conspirators,  buried  in  one  of  the  lower  cells  of  the  United  States  Peni- 
tentiary, erected  on  the  north  end  of  the  arsenal  grounds,  1826-29.  In  1865  the 
body  of  Wirz,  the  Anderson  rebel  prison-keeper,  executed  at  the  old  Capitol 
1865,  was  also  buried  here.  When  the  Penitentiary  was  torn  down.  1869, 
these  bodies  were  removed,  Wirz  to  Mr.  Olivet  Cemetery,  D.  C,  and  Booth 
co  Baltimore.  The  grounds  afford  a  delightful  stroll  or  drive,  with  the  broad 
Potomac  on  the  W.  and  the  James  Creek  Canal  on  the  E. 


ARSENAL. 


173 


In  the  arsenal  buildings  are  military  stores  of  various  kinds.  There  are 
also  officers'  quarters,  barracks,  hospitals  bakeries,  stables,  and  machine, 
carpenter,  blacksmith,  and  painters'  shops,  lumber  storehouses,  and  two  maga- 
zines for  fixed  ammunitionand  small  arm  cartridges.  The  principal  maga- 
zines are  on  the  Anacostia.  A  detachment  and  three  officers  of  the  ordnance 
corps  are  on  duty. 

Objects  of  Inter- 
est.— In  front  of  the  old 
quarters  are  a  number  of 
captured  cannon  and 
mortars,  among  whrch 
are  two  Blakely  guns, 
one  inscribed,  "  Pre- 
sented to  the  sovereign 
State  of  South  Carolina, 
by  one  of  her  citizens  re- 
siding abroad,  in  com- 
memoration of  the  20 
of  December,  i860  ;"  a 
brass  gun  with  a  ball  in 
the  muzzle,  shot  there  in 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg; 
guns  surrendered  by  the 
British  by  the  Conven- 
tion of  Saratoga,  Oct. 
17,  1777;  French  guns 
taken  at  the  battle  of 
Niagara,  July  25,  181 4  ; 
a  64  pounder,  captured 
at  Vera  Cruz,  March  29, 
1847  ;  and  guns  cap- 
tured from  Cornwallis 
at  Yorktown  Oct.  19, 
1 78 1  :  also  a  number  of 
small  guns  and  mortars, 
some  of  date  1756. 

History. — In  1803  a 
military  station  was  es- 
tablished on  the  Arsenal 
grounds.  In  1807  shops 
were  erected.  In  1812 
powder  was  stored  here. 
In  1813  it  became  a  reg- 
ular depot  of  supplies. 
In  1814  it  was  destroyed 
by  the  British.  A  num- 
ber of  the  latter  were 
killed  by  the  explosion  of 
powdersecretedina  well 
near  the  quarters.  In 
1815  it  was  rebuilt  under 
Col.  George  Bomford. 
In  1816  buildings  were 
erected  by  the  Ordnance  Department.  During  the  rebellion,  1861-65,  it  was  the 
depot  of  ordnance  supplies  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Large  quantities  of 
ammunition  and  gun  carriages  were  made  here.  In  1864  twenty-one  girls 
were  killed  in  an  explosion  of  one  of  the  laboratories.  Since  the  war  the 
grounds  have  been  beautified. 


174 


NAVY -YARD. 


NAVY-YARD. 

The  Navy- Yard  {open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from  7  a. 
m.  to  sunset,)  is  situated  on  the  Anacostia,  f  m.  SE.  of  the 
Capitol,  8th  st.  E.  terminating*  at  the  entrance.  It  may  be 
reached  from  the  W.  portions  of  the  city  in  the  red  cars  of 
the  Pennsylvania  av.  st.  railway.  The  officer  of  the  marine 
guard  at  the  gate  will  pass  visitors.  The  present  grounds 
comprise  about  27  a.,  and  are  entered  by  a  stone  gateway,  in 
Doric  style,  over  which  are  small  cannou-and-ball  embellish- 
ments, and  in  the  centre  a  well-executed  eagle,  resting  on  an 
anchor.  Inside,  on  the  r.,  is  the  guard-room,  and  opposite 
the  officers'  room.  An  avenue  runs  S.  from  the  entrance  to 
the  building  occupied  by  the  Commandant's  and  other  offices 
of  the  yard.  The  Executive  officer's  room  is  on  the  second 
floor,  and  from  whom  a  permit  may  be  obtained,  which  will 
admit  the  bearer  to  any  part  of  the  yard,  in  the  workshops, 
and  on  board  any  monitors  in  the  stream. 

Immediately  within  the  entrance^  on  either  side  of  the 
avenue,  are  two  large  guns,  captured  in  1804,  by  Commodore 
Decatur  from  two  Tripolitan  gunboats.  The  buildings  on 
the  1.  and  r.  are  the  officers'  quarters:  those  of  the  Com- 
mandant being  on  the  1.  On  the  1.  of  the  main  avenue  are 
the  storehouses,  copper-works,  &c. ;  and  on  the  r.  the  foundry, 
machine,  and  other  shops.  S.  of  the  Commandant's  building 
are  a  number  of  cannon  and  projectiles  :  among  the  former 
two  of  1686  and  1767  date,  captured  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  1862; 
several  Austrian  and  French  guns,  and  two  Austrian  howit- 
zers, rifled,  captured  on  the  steamer  Columbia  in  1862. 

On  the  river  bank  are  two  ship-houses  E.  and  W.  Near 
the  E .  is  the  boat-house,  from  which  a  boat  may  be  taken  to 
the  monitors,  if  any,  in  the  stream.  More  to  the  W.  lies  the 
receiving-ship,  the  W.  ship-house,  and  a  water  battery.  The 
large  building  crowning  the  hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  is  the  National  Asylum  for  the  Insane.  The  view  down 
the  river  is  very  flue.  In  the  W.  part  of  the  yard  is  the  Ord- 
nance-shop and  Laboratory.  The  avenue  leading  back  to- 
wards the  main  entrance  passes  near  the  Museum,  {open  from 
9  a.  m.  to  A, p.  m.)  On  either  side  of  the  door  are  a  number  of 
projectiles  of  the  largest  size.  Among  these  a  20-in.  shot, 
weighing  1,048  lbs.  The  gun  is  on  the  Rip-raps,  Hampton 
Roads.  Here  may  be  seen  a  number  of  relics  and  other  ob- 
jects of  interest :  a<mong  which,  on  the  first  floor,  are  a  Span- 
ish gun,  cast  about  1490,  brought  to  America  by  Cortez,  and 
used  in  the  conquest  of  Mexico ;  a  Spanish  gun  captured  by 
Commodore  Stockton  in  California  in  1847 ;  an  old-style  re- 


NAVY  -YARD. 


175 


NAVY-YARD. 


peater ;  a  small  mortar,  captured  from  Lord  Cornwallis ;  a 
section  of  the  sternpost  of  the  Kearsarge,  showing  a  shell, 
which  did  not  explode,  fired  into  it  by  the  Alabama ;  confed- 
erate torpedoes,  taken  out  of  southern  harbors ;  submarine 
rockets;  models  of  projectiles,  and  a  very  interesting  col- 
lection of  those  which  had  been  fired.  On  the  second  floor 
are  principally  small  arms ;  models  of  cannon  ;  a  model  of  the 
ordnance  dock,  Brooklyn;  brass  swivels,  one  very  old,  said 
to  have  belonged  to  Cortez ;  a  telescope  rifle ;  two  blunder- 
busses, and  cases  of  rifles  and  pistols.  The  walls  and  ceil- 
ings are  artistically  decorated  with  pikes,  cutlasses,  sabres, 
and  pistols. 

History.— On  Oct.  30,  1799,  the  selection  of  a  site  for  the 
Navy- Yard  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  commission- 
ers, and  led  to  considerable  correspondence  with  Naval  Agent 
William  Marbury.  The  ground  best  suiced  for  that  purpose 
lay  on  the  Anacostia,  a  short  distance  above  its  confluence 
with  the  Potomac,  on  land  owned  by  Messrs.  Carroll  and 
Prout.  On  Dec.  3,  1799,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  gave 
orders  to  lay  the  ground  out.  The  yard,  however,  was  not 
formally  established  till  the  passage  of  the  act  of  March,  1804. 
In  those  early  days  it  was  unrivalled.  Such  famous  vessels 
as  the  Wasp,  Argus,  the  brig  Viper,  the  Essex,  the  schoon- 
ers Shark  and  Grampus,  the  sloop  of  war  St.  Louis,  24  guns, 
and  frigates  Columbia,  Potomac,  and  Brandywine,  44  guns 
each,  were  built  here.    In  1837  it  was  proposed  to  establish  a 


176 


MARINE  BARRACKS. 


naval  school  at  the  yard.  Of  late  years  the  yard  has  lost  its 
prominence  for  naval  construction,  owing  to  the  greater  fa- 
cilities presented  by  more  recently-established  stations,  and 
the  filling  np  of  the  channel.  In  1816  a  ship  of  the  line  could 
anchor  here.  The  yard  is  now  one  of  the  most  important  for 
the  manufacture  of  naval  supplies. 


MARINE  BARRACKS. 

A  short  distance  N.  of  the  Navy-Yard  gate,  on  the  E.  side 
of  8th  st.  E.,  between  G  and  I  sts.  S.,  are  the  Marine  Barracks. 
The  Pennsylvania  aw  cars  (red)  for  the  Navy- Yard  pass  the 
iron  gate,  which  is  the  general  entrance.  Visitors  are  admit- 
ted from  9  a.  m,  till  sundown,  but  can  be  passed  before  that 
time  by  the  officer  of  the  day.  The  barracks  have  a  frontage 
of  700  feet.  The  centre  building,  used  for  officers'  quarters, 
is  two  stories  high,  and  the  wings  are  one  story,  with  accom- 
modations for  200  men.  The  offices  of  the  general  staff  are 
opposite,  on  9th  st.  E.  On  the  N.  of  the  square  a  e  the  quar- 
ters of  the  Brigadier  General  and  Commandant  of  the  Marine 
Corp?,  and  opposite,  on  the  S.,  is  the  armory  and  hospital. 
In  the  former  are  some  interesting  Marine  Corps  flags.  One 
bears  the  inscription  "From  Tripoli  to  the  Halls  of  the  Mon- 
tezumas"  by  land  and  sea;  also,  a  Corean  flag  captured  in 
battle. 

The  most  interesting  occasion  for  a  visit  would  be  at  the 
time  of  general  inspection  on  any  Monday,  weather  permit- 
ting, at  10  a.  m.,  when  the  Marines  and  their  excellent  band 
may  be  seen  in  full  parade.  Every  day  at  8  a.  m.  in  summer 
and  9  a.  m.  in  winter,  there  is  guard  mount,  the  band  per- 
forming. The  barracks  were  burnt  by  the  British  in  1814, 
but  were  immediately  rebuilt.  Recruits  are  sent  here  for  in- 
struction before  being  detailed  for  service  on  the  vessels  of  the 
Navy.  * 

The  Marine  Corps  was  organized  in  1798  as  an  adjunct  to 
the  naval  establishment,  then  placed  under  an  independent 
administration.  The  corps  has  participated,  with  glory  to 
its  officers  and  men,  in  all  the  brilliant  achievements  which 
have  characterized  the  operations  of  the  Navy  of  the  United 
States  whenever  called  upon  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  the  na- 
tion. On  land  the  corps  has  borne  itself  nobly;  and  against 
greatly  superior  numbers  and  overcoming  grave  obstacles, 
has  invariably  returned  with  fresh  laurels.  In  the  Tripolitan 
and  Mexican  wars,  in  then-  participation  in  the  attack  on  Fort 


MAGAZINES. 


177 


Fisher,  in  their  desperate  conflict  on  the  coast  of  Corea  against 
overwhelming  numbers  of  the  barbarous  enemy,  and  in  re- 
peated retaliatory  landings  on  the  shores  of  Asiatic  countries 
and  islands  of  the  Pacific,  their  discipline  and  bravery  have 
won  for  them  a  bright  page  in  the  nation's  history.  The 
headquarters  of  the  corps  are  appropriately  at  the  National 
Capital,  being  established  at  the  Marine  Barracks.  The  com- 
mandant or  superior  officer  holds  the  rank  of  brigadier  gen- 
eral ;  there  are  also  1  colonel,  2  lieutenant  colonels,  4  majors, 
20  captains,  and  an  increased  number  of  lieutenants.  The 
numerical  strength  of  the  corps  by  law  is  2,500  men. 


MAGAZINES. 

The  Army  and  Navy  Magazines,  to  which  there  is  no  ad- 
mittance, occupy  about  6  a.  in  the  S.  part  of  reservation  No. 
13,  or  Hospital  Square,  situated  in  the  extreme  E.  part  of  the 
city  on  the  Anacostia.  They  consist  of  four  brick  buildings, 
the  two  for  the  Army  on  the  N.,  and  those  for  the  Navy  on 
the  S.,  with  a  capacity  of  2,000  bbls.  each.  The  grounds  are 
tastefully  laid  out.  A  sergeant  and  private  and  a  small  detach- 
ment of  marines  are  on  duty.  The  wharf  at  the  foot  of  the 
grounds  is  used  exclusively  for  the  discharge  or  shipment  of 
powder.  In  1873  the  Bellville  farm,  of  90  a.,  on  Oxen  creek, 
with  a  frontage  on  the  Potomac  nearly  opposite  Alexandria, 
was  purchased  for  the  Naval  Magazine,  which  will  be  remov- 
ed from  its  present  location. 

The  large  quantities  of  powder  usualty  stored  in  these 
magazines  occasions  great  uneasiness  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  adjacent  parts  of  the  city.  Frequent  measures  have  been 
taken  to  have  the  magazines  removed.  That  of  the  Navy  will 
be  transferred  to  its  new  site  as  soon  as  the  buildings  are 
ready  for  use.  The  Army  magazines  will  doubtless  speedily 
follow. 


12 


SECTION  I  "V . 
PLACES  OF  GENERAL  INTEREST. 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


HE  Smithsonian  Institution  (open  daily^  except 
Sunday,  from  9  a.  m.  to  4  p.  m.)  occupies  a  fine 
site  S.  of  Pennsylvania  av.,  and  may  be  conveniently 
reached  by  10th  st.  W.,  the  centre  of  the  N.  front 
of  the  building  facing  that  street . 

Grounds. — The  whole  area  of  what  are  now  desig- 
nated the  Smithsonian  Grounds — that  is,  from  7th  to  12th  st. 
and  between  B  sts.  N.  and  S.,  covers  52J  acres.  The  Smith- 
sonian grounds  proper,  and  which  were  set  apart  for  the  In- 
stitution in  1846,  consist  of  20  a.,  situated  in  the  SW.  corner 
of  the  larger  reservation.  At  first  the  charge  of  the  Smith- 
sonian grounds  proper  was  under  the  Institution.  About  15 
years  ago,  however,  Congress  resumed  their  supervision. 
They  were  then  thrown  into  the  extensive  and  beautiful  res- 
ervation which  now  surrounds  the  Institution  building. 

The  grounds  were  designed  and  partially  laid  out  by  the 
distinguished  horticulturist  and  landscape  gardener,  Andrew 
Jackson  Downing,  whose  death  occurred  while  in  the  prose- 
cution of  his  plans.  They  are  arranged  with  lawns,  groves, 
drives,  and  footways,  and  are  planted  with  150  species  of 
trees  and  shrubs,  chiefly  American.  In  the  E.  portion  of  the 
grounds,  N.  of  the  E.  wing  of  the  building,  is  a  vase  of  ex- 
quisite beauty,  designed  by  Calvert  Vaux,  of  Newburg,  N. 
Y.,  executed  by  Kobert  Launitz,  sculptor,  of  New  York, 
and  erected  by  the  American  Pomological  Society  to  the 
memory  of  Downing,  The  funds  were  supplied  by  friends  of 
the  deceased.  The  principal  design  of  the  monument  con- 
sists of  a  large  vase  of  antique  pattern,  worked  in  Italian 
marble,  and  resting  on  a  pedestal  of  the  same  material.  The 
vase  is  4  ft.  high  and  3  ft.  in  diameter  at  the  upper  rim.  The 
body  is  ornamented  witli  arabesque.  Acanthus  leaves  sur- 
round the  lower  part.  The  handles  rest  on  the  heads  of  satyrs. 
£ods  ot  proves  and  woods,  and  the  pedestal  on  a  carved  base 

(178 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


179 


surrounded  with  a  cornioe.  On  each  side  is  a  deep  panel, 
relieved  by  carved  mouldings.  In  each  is  an  appropriate  in- 
scription. That  facing  the  IS",  reads,  4 4 This  vase  was  erected 
by  his  friends  in  memory  of  Andrew  Jackson  Downing,  who 
died  July  28,  1852,  aged  thirty-seven  years.  He  was  born 
and  lived  and  died  on  the  Hudson  river."  On  the  base  of 
the  pedestal  are  the  words,  44  This  memorial  was  erected 
under  a  resolution  passed  at  Philadelphia,  in  September, 
1852,  by  the  American  Pomological  Society,  of  which  Mr. 
Downing  was  one  of  the  original  founders.  Marshall  P. 
Wilder,  President."  The  whole  monument,  with  the  granite 
plinth,  is  9J  ft.  high,  and  cost  $1,600. 

Description. — The  style  of  architecture  of  the  Smithsonian 
Building,  designed  by  James  Renwick,  Jr.,  of  1ST.  Y.,  is  Nor- 
man, and  chronologically  belongs  to  the  end  of  the  12th  cen- 
tury, representing  the  rounded  at  the  time  of  merging  into  the 
Gothic.  It  is  the  first  unecclesiastical  structure  of  that  period 
ever  built  in  the  United  States.  The  building  compares  favor- 


SMITHSONIAX  INSTITUTION. 


ably  with  the  best  examples  of  the  styles,  variously  called  the 
Norman,  the  Lombard,  the  Romanesque,  and  the  Byzantine. 
The  semi-circular  arch  still  is  used  throughout  in  doors,  win- 
dows, and  other  openings.  The  windows  are  without  elabo- 
rately traceried  heads.  The  weather  mouldings  consist  of 
corbel  courses  with  bold  projections.  It  has  towers  of  various 


180 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


sizes  and  shapes.  The  main  entrance  from  the  N.,  sheltcrea 
by  a  carriage  porch,  is  between  two  towers  of  beautifully 
symmetrical  proportions  and  unequal  height.  The  general 
design  consists  of  a  main  centre  building,  two  stories  high  and 
two  wings  of  a  single  story,  connected  by  intervening  ranges, 
each  having  a  cloister  on  the  IS",  with  open  stone  screen.  In 
the  centre  of  the  N.  side  of  the  main  building  are  two  towers, 
the  higher  one  145  ft.  On  the  S.  is  a  single  massive  tower  37 
ft.  square,  including  the  buttress,  and  91  ft.  high.  On  the 
NE.  corner  is  a  double  campanile  17  ft.  square  and  117  ft.  to 
the  top  of  its  fmial.  At  the  SW.  corner  is  an  octagonal  tower 
finished  with  open  work  in  the  upper  portions.  At  the  SW. 
and  NW.  corners  are  two  smaller  towers.  There  are  9  tow- 
ers in  all,  including  the  small  ones  at  each  wing. 

The  extreme  length  of  the  building  from  E .  to  W.,  includ- 
ing the  porch  of  the  E.  wing,  is  447  ft.  The  breadth  of  the 
centre  of  the  main  building  and  towers,  including  carriage 
porch,  is  1G0  ft.  The  E.  wing  is  82  by  52  ft.,  and  42 J  ft.  high 
to  the  top  of  its  battlement.  The  W.  wing,  inclusive  of  its 
projecting  apsis,  is  84  by  40  ft.,  and  38  ft.  high.  Each  con- 
necting range,  inclusive  of  cloister,  is  60  by  49  ft.  The  main 
building  is  205  by  57  ft.  and  to  the  top  of  the  corbel  courses 
58  ft.  high. 

The  material  used  is  a  variety  of  freestone  found  in  the  new 
red  sandstone  formation,  about  23  m.  distant  from  Washing- 
ton, in  the  vicinity  of  the  point  where  Seneca  creek  empties 
into  the  Potomac  river.  It  is  the  same,  though  brought  from 
a  different  locality,  as  that  used  in  the  construction  of  Trinity 
church  of  Kew  York  city.  The  building  throughout  is  con- 
structed in  the  most  durable  manner.  The  foundation  walls 
vary  from  12  to  8  ft.  at  the  base  to  5  ft.  at  the  top.  The  walls 
of  the  main  building,  above  the  water  table,  are  2 J  ft.  for  the 
first  story,  and  2  ft.  for  the  second,  exclusive  of  "buttresses, 
corbel  courses,  and  other  exterior  projections,  and  exclusive 
of  the  interior  lining  of  brick.  The  walls  of  the  wings  are  2 
ft.  thick.  Groined  arches  are  turned  under  the  central,  the 
campanile,  and  octagonal  towers,  and  towers  of  the  W.  wing. 
The  copings,  cornices,  battlements,  window  jambs,  mullions, 
sills,  and  all  stone  work,  is  held  b}^  iron  clamps  leaded.  The 
face  of  the  building  is  finished  in  ashlar,  laid  in  courses  10  to 
15  in.  in  height,  and  with  an  average  bed  of  9  in.  The  whole 
of  the  centre  building  is  fireproof,  and  the  two  wings  and 
ranges  practically  so.    The  roofs  are  of  slate  laid  on  iron. 

The  Smithsonian  Institution  proper  has  two  chief  lines  of 
action  :  I.  To  stimulate  the  preparation  of  original  woi^ks  in 
general  and  special  science:  to  publish  and  to  distribute  them 
judiciously  and  promptly  to  all  the  scientific  centres  of  the 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


181 


world,  through  a  system  of  international  exchanges,  now  the 
most  complete  on  the  globe.  The  Institution  also  distributes 
abroad,  free  of  expense,  the  publications  of  scientific  and 
historical  societies  when  sent  to  them.  It  lias  ten  agents  of 
its  own,  and  is  in  correspondence  with  2,400  institutions 
abroad.  The  publications  of  the  Smithsonian  are  the  u  Con- 
tributions to  Knowledge,"  u Miscellaneous,"  and  "Annual 
Reports" — the  latter  to  Congress. 

II.  Meteorological  investigations.  These  have  been  pros- 
ecuted over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  reports  are  now  re- 
ceived from  over  600  stations,  in  all  parts  of  the  Western 
Hemisphere.  The  observations  relate  solely  to  the  general 
laws  of  climatology  of  the  continent.  The  Institution  has 
also  patronized  and  aided  the  cause  of  science  and  explora- 
tion, both  in  the  efforts  of  the  Government  and  private  indi- 
viduals. It  has  also  co-operated  with  the  other  departments 
of  the  Government.  Its  valuable  library  has  been  incorpo- 
rated with  that  of  Congress.  The  extensive  herbarium,  on 
condition  of  approving  the  botanist  in  charge,  has  been 
transferred  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  all  the 
crania  and  other  osteological  specimens  to  the  Army  Medical 
Museum.  In  return,  from  the  latter  it  receives  from  the 
officers  of  the  army  all  collections  made  in  ethnology  and  in 
special  branches  of  natural  history. 

National  Museum. — {Open  every  day,  except  Sunday,  from 
9  a.  m.  to  4 p.  m.) — This  national  collection  is  in  the  charge  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  though  it  is  supported  by  the 
United  States.  Its  origin  was  under  the  act  establishing  that 
Institution,  and  its  head  is  the  Secretary,.  Professor  Joseph 
Henry,  though  the  active  supervision  has  been  assigned  by 
him  to  Prof.  Spencer  F.  Baird,  Assistant  Secretary. 

With  the  limited  means  at  command,  it  was  found  imprac- 
ticable to  expect  an  extensive  general  museum.  The  efforts 
of  the  manager  of  that  offshoot  of  the  Institution,  therefore, 
were  directed  to  the  accumulation  of  material  from  the  Amer- 
ican continent.  The  act  of  organization  contributed,  as  the 
foundation  of  the  museum,  the  collections  of  specimens 
brought  back  by  the  United  States  exploring  expedition  to  the 
Southern  Hemisphere,  under  Captain  (Rear  Admiral)  Charles 
Wilkes,  originally  deposited  in  the  Patent  Office.  It  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Institution  in  1858.  Since  that  time  the  collec- 
tion has  been  increased  by  the  type  specimens  from  upwards 
of  fifty  subsequent  expeditions  of  the  General  Government, 
and  contributions  resulting  from  the  operations  of  the  Insti- 
tution, besides  a  large  number  of  donations  from  individuals. 
The  articles  represent  all  parts  of  the  globe  and  every  branch 


182 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


of  natural  history.  The  collection  of  the  larger  North  Amer- 
ican and  European  mammals,  both  skins  and  skeletons,  is  the 
most  complete  in  the  United  States.  In  ethnological  speci- 
mens of  this  continent  it  surpasses  anything  in  the  world.  In 
other  respects  it  ranks  favorably  with  the  collections  of  the 
Philadelphia  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  and  the  Cambridge 
Museum. 

The  collections  of  the  Museum  are  undergoing  rearrange- 
ment, occasioned  by  the  fitting  up  of  the  hall  on  the  second 
floor.  The  arrangement  contemplated  is  the  exclusive  use  of 
the  lower  main  hall  for  the  zoological  department.  The  Gothic 
hall  containing  ethnological  specimens  to  economical  geol- 
ogy, and  the  W.  hall  to  mineralogy  and  geology.  The  latter 
is  now  finally  arranged.  In  the  space  on  either  side  of  the 
entrance,  at  the  foot  of  the  stairways,  will  be  placed  a  large 
and  valuable  collection  of  plaster  casts  of  the  food  fishes  of 
the  United  States,  made  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  S.  F. 
Baird,  United  States  Fish  Commissioner.  The  second  floor, 
now  being  fitted  with  cases,  will  contain  the  extraordinarily 
large  ethnological  collection  relating  to  the  native  tribes  of 
North  America,  ancient  and  modern,  and  the  rich  store  of 
specimens  of  the  same  character,  from  the  Feejee,  Samoan, 
Viti,  and  Sandwich  Islands,  at  the  time  of  the  visit  of  the 
Wilkes  exploring  expedition. 

Main  Hall.— This  hall  is  200  ft.  long,  50  ft.  wide,  and  25  ft. 
high.  The  ceiling  is  supported  on  two  rows  of  columns. 
Around  the  hall,  against  the  railings  of  the  galleries,  are  the 
heads,  complete  or  skeleton,  of  various  larger  animals.  That 
at  the  W.  end  is  of  a  buffalo,  an  excellent  specimen.  Opposite 
the  entrance  is  the  Register,  in  which  visitors  are  requested 
to  record  their  names.  Near  by,  on  the  r.,  is  a  specimen  of 
the  great  auk  killed  on  the  island  of  Eldey,  near  Iceland,  in 
1834,  believed  to  be  extinct,  not  having  been  seen  alive  since 
1844.  Owing  to  its  short  wings,  it  was  incapable  of  flight. 
But  two  other  specimens  of  the  bird,  and  but  one  other  of  the 
egg,  is  in  the  United  States. 

Commencing  on  the  1.  of  the  main  entrance,  the  first  case 
contains  carniverous  animals,  the  next  two  birds  of  foreign 
countries,  two  of  birds  of  North  America,  and  one  of  foreign 
countries.  The  table  cases  between  contain  shells,  and  the 
wall  cases  skeletons  and  alcoholic  specimens.  The  table 
cases  in  the  centre  of  the  room  are  filled  with  a  fine  collec- 
tion of  birds'  nests  and  eggs.  In  the  lower  part  of  the  first 
are  specimens  of  ostrich  eggs,  and  a  cast  of  the  egg  of  the 
giant  fossil  bird  of  Madagascar.  The  end  wall  cases  are 
empty,  but  will,  in  the  rearrangement  of  the  museum,  be 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


183 


filled  with  zoological  specimens.  In  the  S.  range  of  cases 
the  first  two  contain  birds  of  North  America,  the  next  three 
of  foreign  countries,  and  the  last  seals,  fish,  and  alligators. 
The  table  cases  between  are  devoted  to  shells,  and  those 
against  the  wall  to  alcoholic  specimens.  The  cases  in  the 
galleries  of  the  E.  part  of  the  Hall  contain  skeletons  of  birds. 

In  the  W.  half  of  the  Hall,  resuming  the  S.  range  of  cases, 
the  first  contains  mammals,  including  a  musk  ox,  female 
chimpanzee,  and  a  cast  of  a  gorilla's  head,  the  next  two 
mammals,  and  the  rest  corals.  The  table  cases  between  ex- 
hibit ethnological  and  those  against  the  wall  ethnological 
and  alcoholic  specimens. 

In  one  of  the  recesses  in  the  S.  range,  in  a  large  jar,  is  a 
specimen  of  the  devilfish  from  California.  When  expanded, 
it  measures  8  ft.  in  diameter.  Its  shape  is  that  of  a  star  with 
eight  points.  In  another  recess  on  the  same  side  are  exhibi- 
tions of  beaver  cuttings. 

On  the  r.,  entering  the  main  N.  door,  the  first  case  contains 
mammals,  embracing  the  deer  and  antelope  families.  Here 
are  excellent  specimens  of  the  Kocky  Mountain  sheep  and 
goat.  The  next  embraces  birds  of  North  America,  and  the 
remaining  four  on  the  same  side  birds  of  foreign  countries. 
The  table  cases  between  contain  ethnological  and  the  wall 
alcoholic  specimens. 

The  first  table  case  in  the  centre  of  the  W.  portion  of  the 
Hall  is  devoted  to  shells  above  and  shells  of  turtles  below. 
In  the  second  are  ethnological  specimens  relating  to  the 
American  Indians.  On  the  E.  end  of  this  case  is  the  head 
of  a  Peruvian  chief,  compressed  by  an  unknown  method, 
very  rare. 

In  the  gallery  cases  are  birds  and  ethnological  specimens. 
Against  the  W.  wall,  is  a  case  of  fish  casts  and  three  of 
birds.    We  here  enter  the 

Gothic  Hall. — This  Hall  receives  its  name  from  the  style  of 
architecture  used,  and  contains  ethnological  specimens  and 
relics,  and  other  articles  of  historic  interest.  It  is  proposed 
during  the  present  year  to  make  a  general  rearrangement  of 
the  collections  of  the  National  Museum.  This  Hall  will  then 
be  assigned  to  economic  geology.  The  portrait  over  the  W. 
door  represents  General  Washington,  painted  by  the  elder 
Peale.  The  painting  was  shipped  to  Europe  and  captured 
by  a  French  privateer,  taken  to  France,  where  it  was  pur- 
chased and  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  ultimately 
came  into  the  possession  of  the  National  Institute. 

In  the  N.  range  are  the  collections  representing  the  Auieri- 


184 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


can  Indians  and  Esquimaux  of  Greenland.  In  the  wall  case 
on  the  W.  is  the  suit  and  rifle  used  by  Dr.  Kane  in  his  Arctic 
exploration ;  also  the  shot  gun  and  rifle  used  by  Captain  Hall, 
and  rifle  of  Esquimaux  Joe. 

On  the  S.  are  the  collections  relating  to  China,  Japan,  Mus- 
cat, and  Siam. 

In  the  E.  table  case  are  a  number  of  relics  and  other  ob- 
jects of  historical  interest.  Among  these  is  a  fine  collection 
of  medals  awarded  to  military  and  naval  officers  of  the  Revo- 
lution and  subsequent  wars ;  copies  of  royal  seals  of  gold  and 
silver,  presented  by  William  Blackmore,  of  London;  a  few 
odd  specimens  of  the  Denon  and  American  medals  destroyed 
in  the  fire  at  the  Library  of  the  United  States ;  locks  of  hair 
of  Presidents  of  the  United  States;  the  razor  of  Captain 
Cook,  the  navigator;  one  of  the  bolts  to  which  Columbus 
was  chained ;  part  of  the  machinery  of  the  first  steamboat 
built  by  James  Rumsey,  of  Shepherdstown,  Va.,  1786 ;  Chi- 
nese paper  money,  Japanese  manuscript,  an  interesting 
specimen  of  handwriting  in  Greek,  arranged  in  book  form ; 
and  treaties  with  Turkey,  Sweden,  Spain,  Austria,  Prussia, 
France,  Russia,  and  England,  and  the  seal  of  the  United 
States.  Among  the  treaties  is  the  first  between  France  and 
the  United  States,  1778,  and  Bonaparte,  1st  Consul,  1803.  In 
the  same  case  below  is  an  assortment  of  old  arms  from  the 
Malayan  Peninsula  and  China ;  also  arms  of  historical  inter- 
est. 

On  the  W.  table  case  is  a  collection  illustrating  the  pre-his- 
toric  period  in  Europe,  embracing  man  of  the  drift,  reindeer, 
lake  dwelling,  and  shell  heap  period,  down  to  that  of  chipped 
and  polished  stone  implements.  Among  the  interesting  fea- 
tures of  this  period  are  specimens  relating  to  the  lake-dwell- 
ing period  in  Switzerland,  and  breccia  of  the  reindeer  period 
in  England;  also,  a  model  of  Stonehenge,  in  that  country; 
also,  bones  from  Patagonia,  and  Indian  implements.  In  the 
same  case  below  are  a  number  of  relics  of  the  Franklin,  Fro- 
bisher,  Kane,  and  Hall  North  Polar  expeditions. 

At  the  end  of  the  hall  is  an  original  tablet  containing  a  high 
order  of  Mexican  hieroglyphics.    Beyond  the  Gothic  is  the 

West  Hall,  a  fine,  well  lighted  apartment,  and  assigned  to 
the  mineralogical  cabinet  of  the  National  Museum,  divided 
into  four  sections : 

I.  General  Mineralogical  Collection,  occupying  the  S.  and 
the  S.  end  of  the  E.  walls.  This  embraces  300  species  of 
minerals  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  contains  many  very 
beautiful  specimens. 

II.  General  Lithological  Collection,  occupying  the  entire 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


185- 


W.  wall,  and  composed  mainly  of  specimens  brought  back  by 
the  various  Government  exploring  expeditions  within  the 
United  States  and  W.  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  also  sev- 
eral European  series. 

III.  Ore  Collection,  on  the  1ST.  end  of  the  E.  wall,  and  em- 
bracing ores  from  a  large  number  of  lodes  in  the  Western 
States  and  Territories.  It  is  proposed  to  obtain  for  this  col- 
lection a  specimen  of  every  worked  lode  W.  of  the  Mississippi, 
which  would  then  be  valuable  as  a  means  of  comparing  ores. 

IV.  Metallurgical  Collection,  in  the  center  of  the  E.  wall, 
embraces  ores,  slags,  raw  and  commercial  products,  present- 
ing the  various  interests  of  this  character  in  the  United 
States  and  foreign  countries. 

Against  the  N.  wall,  E.  side,  is  a  case  containing  an  inter- 
esting collection  of  geyserites  from  the  National  Park  on  the 
Yellowstone,  gathered  by  the  Hayden  Exploring  Expedi- 
tion. It  is  the  best  and  most  valuable  series  of  the  kind  in 
existence.  At  the  S.  end  of  the  hall,  the  table  case  contains 
the  Polaris  Collection,  made  by  Dr.  Emil  Bessels  during  the 
United  States  North  Polar  Expedition,  1870-73.  All  the 
specimens  were  gathered  above  80°  N.  latitude.  The  ham- 
mer and  piece  of  powder  canister  belonged  to  Capt.  Parry's 
Expedition  in  1821.  He  lost  his  ships  on  Fury  Beach.  The 
next  table  case  on  the  N.  contains  stalactites  and  a  very  fine 
specimen  of  sulphur  from  Sicily.  The  third  table  contains 
minerals  from  different  foreign  countries. 

In  the  centre  of  the  hall  is  a  large  group  of  mineral  speci- 
mens, including  the  Irwin-ainsa  Meteorite,  from  Tucson,  Ari- 
zona, weighing  1,400  lbs.  It  is  of  ring  shape,  and  measures 
49  in.  in  exterior  diameter,  and  27  in.  in  opening.  The  thickest 
part  is  17  in.  wide.  A  large  mass  of  native  copper  from  On- 
tonagon, Lake  Superior,  in  early  days  used  by  the  Indians 
as  a  sacrificial  altar,  and  estimated  to  weigh  over  3,000  lbs,. 
The  Couch  Meteorite,  found  by  Lieut.  D.  St.  Couch,  United 
States  Army,  in  Coahuila,  Northern  Mexico,  and  weighing 
250  lbs.  It  was  used  as  an  anvil.  The  rest  of  the  same 
group  is  made  up  of  coals,  fossil  woods  from  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  cinnabar  from  California,  and  stalactites  and 
other  interesting  specimens  from  different  parts. 

A  card  explaining  the  system  of  labelling  will  be  found  in 
the  hall.  The  arrangement  of  the  collection  was  made  by 
Dr.  F.  M.  Endlich,  of  Pen n.,  mineralogist  of  the  Institution. 

Returning  to  the  main  hall,  opposite  the  main  1ST.  entrance, 
is  the 

S.  Vestibule,  which  contains  a  number  of  foreign  anti- 
quities.  In  the  centre  is  the  marble  Sarcophagus,  brought 


186 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


to  the  United  States  on  the  frigate  Constitution  by  Commo- 
dore Jesse  D.  Elliott,  in  1839,  from  Beirut,  Syria.  It  was 
originally  the  repository  of  the  remains  of  the  Koman  Em- 
peror Alexander  Severus.  The  Sarcophagus  was  intended 
for  the  tomb  of  General  Andrew  Jackson,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose it  was  offered  in  1845  by  Commodore  Elliott,  but  the 
General  replied:  u  I  cannot  consent  that  my  mortal  body 
shall  be  laid  in  a  repository  prepared  for  an  emperor  or  a 
Mag;  my  republican  feelings  and  principles  forbid  it;  the 
simplicity  of  our  system  of  government  forbids  it.  Every 
monument  erected  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  our  heroes 
and  statesmen  ought  to  bear  evidence  of  the  economy  and  sim- 
plicity of  our  republican  institutions,  and  the  plainness  of  our 
republican  citizens,  who  are  the  sovereigns  of  our  glorious 
Union,  and  whose  virtue  is  to  perpetuate  it." 

The  small  marble  tablet  is  from  the  temple  erected  by 
Miltiades  on  the  plains  of  Marathon,  in  honor  of  his  victory 
over  the  Persians,  490  B.  C. 

In  the  collection  of  idols  from  Central  America,  the  largest, 
carved  in  black  basalt,  and  that  with  a  Sphinx-like  head-dress, 
are  from  the  island  of  Momotombita,  in  Lake  Manaqua.  One 
of  the  others  was  used  by  the  Indians  of  the  Pueblo  of  Sub- 
tiava,  and  two  are  from  the  island  of  Zapatero,  in  Lake 
Nicaraugua,  once  the  site  of  the  greatest  of  all  the  temples 
•of  the  aboriginal  people.  There  are  also  a  cast  of  an  ancient 
carved  stone  at  Palenque  Chiapas,  Mexico,  the  hieroglyphics 
of  which  have  not  yet  been  fully  read,  and  a  plank  and  speci- 
men of  bark  from  the  giant  redwood  tree  of  California.  The 
plank  is  12  ft.  long  and  6J-  ft.  wide. 

Leaving  the  main  hall  by  the  1ST.  door,  the  double  flight  of 
steps  lead  to  the  Ethnological  Hall,  on  the  second  floor,  being 
fitted  up  with  walnut  cases  for  the  display  of  the  Ethnologi- 
cal collections  of  the  museum.  This  hall  is  of  the  same  di- 
mensions as  that  on  the  first  floor.  In  the  centre  is  a  cast  of 
the  extinct  megatherium,  found  at  Buenos  Ayres,  the  largest 
type  of  the  sloth  family  of  the  pre-historic  age.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  an  iron  railing  with  cappings  of  the  existing 
types  of  the  same  family.  On  the  E.  is  a  cast  of  a  glypto- 
don,  now  extinct,  the  largest  representative  of  the  armadillo 
family.  In  a  corresponding  position  on  the  W.  is  the  cast  of 
a  giant  turtle  found  in  the  Himalaya  mountains.  In  the  hall, 
temporarily,  are  specimens  of  the  extinct  Irish  elk,  a  skeleton, 
and  a  cast  of  the  animal  restored,  a  buffalo  and  two  skeletons, 
a  moose  and  one  skeleton,  a  tapir  and  two  skeletons,  a  gnu, 
deer,  and  reindeer,  and  skeletons  of  a  camel  and  Kocky- 
mountain  sheep.  Also  other  animals,  and  varieties  of  sharks, 
sword  and  torpedo  fish,  and  walrus.    Also  two  kyacks. 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


187 


Secretaries  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. — 1846,  Joseph 
Henry. 

History, — The  original  fund  which  led  to  the  foundation 
of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  was  the  bequest  of  James 
Smithson,  of  England,  amounting  to  $515,169.  The  founder 
belonged  to  one  of  the  best  families  of  England.  He  was 
the  son  of  Hugh,  first  Duke  of  Northumberland,  and  Eliza- 
beth, heiress  of  Hungerfords  of  Audley  and  niece  of  Charles 
the  Proud,  Duke  of  Somerset.  He  was  a  native  of  London, 
was  educated  at  Oxford,  and  took  an  honorary  degree  there 
in  1786.  At  the  university  he  was  known  as  James  Lewis 
Macie,  and  a  few  years  after  leaving  took  that  of  Smithson, 
the  family  name  of  the  Northumberlands.  His  life  was 
mostly  spent  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  where  he  died  at 
Genoa  in  1828.  He  was  particularly  known  to  the  scientific 
world  as  a  skillful  chemist,  mineralogist,  and  geologist,  on 
each  of  which  subjects  he  contributed  valuable  papers.  He 
was  never  married,  and  hence  devoted  his  entire  life  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  taste  for  knowledge.  He  held  a  high  ap- 
preciation of  mental  endowments,  usefully  applied,  and 
claimed  that  though  in  his  veins  coursed  the  best  blood  of 
England  his  name  would  outlive  that  of  his  ancestors,  who 
possessed  inherited  titles  and  honors  only.  It  is  stated  that 
at  one  time  he  contemplated  leaving  his  money  to  the  Eoyal 
Society  of  London,  but  owing  to  a  disagreement  vested  it  in 
his  nephew,  Henry  James  Hungerford,  for  life,  after  which 
it  was  to  go  to  the  United  States  of  America  u  to  found,  at 
Washington,  under  the  name  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
an  establishment  for  the  increase  and  diffusion  of  knowledge 
among  men."  The  Government  of  the  United  States,  by  act 
of  Congress  of  July  1,  1836,  accepted  the  bequest.  In  the 
same  year  Richard  Rush,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  had  been 
Minister  of  the  United  States  at  the  court  of  King  George 
IV,  from  1817  to  1825,  was  designated  Commissioner  to  as- 
sert and  prosecute  the  claim  of  the  United  States  to  the 
legacy.  Having  obtained  the  available  amount  of  the  be- 
quest lie  brought  it  to  the  United  States.  It  was  deposited 
in  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  and  invested. 

The  permanent  Smithson  fund  in  the  Treasury  of  the 
United  States,  including  the  original  bequest,  residuary 
legacy,  and  savings,  and  bearing  6  per  cent,  interest,  paya- 
ble semi-annually  in  coin,  is  $650,000.  In  addition  to  this, 
out  of  the  savings,  $450,000  were  expended  in  the  erection  of 
a  building.  The  expenses  of  the  Institution  are  paid  out  of 
the  income  from  the  permanent  fund,  and  the  National  Mu- 
seum by  appropriations  by  Congress. 


188 


SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION. 


The  Institution  was  legally  constituted  by  act  of  Congress 
dated  August  10,  1846.  The  administration  of  affairs  was 
intrusted  to  a  Board  of  Regents,  who  elected  a  Secretary, 
charged  with  the  management  of  the  business  under  then- 
direction. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  building  was  laid  May  1,  1847. 
President  Polk  and  his  Cabinet  and  a  large  number  of  citi- 
zens and  strangers  were  present  on  the  occasion.  The  cere- 
mony was  conducted  by  the  fraternity  of  Masons,  the  Grand 
Master  in  charge  wearing  the  apron  presented  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  France  to  Washington  through  Lafayette.  The 
gavel  employed  was  that  used  by  Washington  upon  the  lay- 
ing of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States. 
The  orator  of  the  clay  was  the  Hon.  George  M.  Dallas,  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  building  was  not  entirelv  completed  till 
1856,  and  at  a  cost  of  $450,000. 

The  first  use  of  the  main  hall  on  the  ground  floor  was  for  an  exhibition  given 
by  the  Mechanics'  Institute  of  Washington  in  1856.  The  next  year  the  build- 
ing was  regularly  occupied,  by  the  transfer  to  it  of  the  Government  collections 
in  the  Patent  Office,  as  provided  by  the  act  of  organization,  and  which  pre- 
viously had  belonged  to  the  National  Institute  for  the  Promotion  ot  Science, 
founded  in  1840,  incorporated  1842,  and  expired  1858.  On  the  24th  of  Jan., 
1865,  the  Institution  suffered  a  serious  calamity,  in  the  destruction  of  all  the 
flammable  material  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  main  building  and  towers  by 
fire.  The  losses  were  of  a  character,  in  many  instances,  which  could  not  be 
replaced,  and  included  the  official,  scientific  and  miscellaneous  correspond- 
ence record-books,  and  manuscripts  in  the  Secretary's  office,  aparatus,  per- 
sonal effects  of  Smithscn.  tools  and  instruments,  all  duplicate  copies  of 
Smithsonian  reports  on  hand  for  distribution,  and  the  wood-cuts  of  illustra- 
tions used  in  the  Smithsonian  publications  ;  also  all  of  a  gallery  of  Indian  por- 
traits and  other  private  property.  The  operations  of  the  Institution,  however, 
were  not  impaired,  and  the  destroyed  parts  of  the  building  were  restored  in 
their  present  fire-proof  condition.  There  was  a  long  controversy  as  to  the 
policy  of  the  Institution.  The  Government  party  favored  a  national  library, 
to  contain  all  the  trashy  productions  of  the  day.  This  the  scientific  party 
warded  off,  and  devoted  themselves  to  works  in  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  the 
bequest.  A  general  museum  was  also  to  be  formed.  This  was  probably  a  less 
practicable  enterprise  than  the  former.  Capital  and  income  combined  were 
not  sufficient  to  make  anything  worthy  of  the  name.  The  foundation  of  a 
gallery  of  art  on  the  means  at  command  was  also  an  absurdity.  A  few 
plaster  casts  and  pictures,  without  any  claims  to  the  notice  of  an  intelligent 
student  or  admirer  of  art,  were  accumulated,  and  fortunately  for  the  reputation 
of  the  Institution,  were  destroyed  in  the  fire  of  1865. 

In  t866,  by  act  of  Congress,  the  library  of  the  Institution,  comprising  a 
large  and  valuable  collection  of  scientific  works  and  transactions  of  societies  in 
all  parts  of  the  world,  was  transferred  to  the  Library  of  Congress. 

The  free  lectures,  originally  contemplated  prior  to  1865,  were  patronized 
with  more  or  less  ardor,  but  their  novelty  soon  languished.  After  1865  they 
were  finally  abandoned,  and  assistance  rendered  to  an  association  of  citizens. 

With  the  progress  of  time  the  Smithsonian  Institution  has  become  a  kind  of 
central  head  with  reference  to  communication  with  the  scientific  institutions 
and  societies  of  other  countries. 


CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 


189 


THE  CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 

CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 

The  Gallery  is  open  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Fridays, 
admission  25  c;  Tuesdays,  Thursdays,  and  Saturdays,  free ; 
hours,  10  a.  m.  to  4  p.  m.from  October  to  April,  and  10  a.  m. 
to  6  p.  m.from  April  to  October.  The  building  stands  on  the 
NE.  corner  of  Pennsylvania  av.  and  17th  st.,  and  was  com- 
menced in  1859.  From  1861  to  1869  it  was  occupied  by  the 
Quartermaster  General  of  the  United  States  Army. 

It  is  in  the  renaissance  style,  and  has  a  frontage  of  104  ft.  on 
Pennsylvania  av.,  and  124 J  ft.  on  17th  st.  The  exterior  is 
constructed  of  brick,  with  facings,  trimmings,  and  ornaments 
of  Belleville  freestone.  The  front  on  Pennsylvania  av.  is 
divided  into  a  central  pavilion,  with  a  curtain  on  either  side, 
and  flanked  by  two  other  pavilions,  one  on  either  corner, 
and  divided  into  two  stories.  The  central  pavilion  has  ver- 
miculated  quoins  in  the  corner,  and  these  inclose  the  grand 
entrance  door  with  a  carved  jamb  and  arch,  overtopped  with 
fierce  tigers'  heads,  in  relievo.  The  anticom  of  the  first  story 
is  simple  in  design  and  detail,  and  at  the  same  time  corre- 
sponds with  the  massiveness  of  the  quoins  at  the  corners  of 
the  building. 

The  second  story  of  the  central  pavilion  consists  of  an 
arched  recess.  The  span  between  the  import  and  the  sufiit 
of  the  arch  is  filled  with  decorations,  and  contains  the  mono- 
gram of  the  founder,  surrounded  with  carved  wreaths  and 
enscrollments.   Just  beneath  this  there  is  a  palladium  win- 


190 


CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 


(low,  with  fluted  pilasters  and  columns  and  capitals,  express- 
ing American  foliage,  exquisitively  carved.  In  the  arch  are 
two  wreaths,  encircling  various  implements  of  painting  and 
sculpture. 

The  central  pavilion  is  flanked  on  either  side  by  two  fluted 
columns,  with  capitals  representing  the  broad  leaves  and 
fruit  of  the  cornstalk.  These  support  an  entablature,  on 
which  are  trophies,  representing  the  Arts,  on  the  frieze  of 
the  central  pavilion ;  and  on  this  are  inscribed  the  words, 
u Dedicated  to  Art/'  The  cornice  over  this  has  a  pediment, 
in  the  tympanum  of  which  is  a  bass  relief,  representing  the 
Genius  of  Painting,  surrounded  by  figures  emblematical  of 
the  sister  arts. 

The  entire  structure  is  surrounded  by  an  imposing  Man- 
sard roof,  slated,  and  carried  10  ft.  higher  than  the  ordinary 
roof  of  the  building.  The  architects  were  James  Renwick, 
Jr.,  and  R.  T.  Auctimuty,  of  N.  Y.  The  cost  of  the  building 
was  $150,000. 

The  entrance  is  on  Pennsylvania  av.,  and  opens  into  a  ves- 
tibule 25  ft.  by  28  ft.,  from  which  lead  the  broad  stairs  to  the 
second  story.  These  stairs  are  of  freestone,  10  ft.  wide.  On 
each  side  are  passages  8 J  ft.  wide,  and  leading  to  the  sculp- 
ture hall.    The  stairs  and  halls  are  lighted  by  two  courts. 

The  vestibule  to  the  sculpture  hall  is  19  ft.  wide  by  28  ft. 
long,  with  two  spacious  bay  windows  at  the  ends.  The 
sculpture  hall  itself  is  96J  ft.  long  by  25  ft.  wide,  and  is 
amply  lighted  by  10  windows. 

The  janitor's  apartments  are  on  the  r.  of  the  main  vesti- 
bule, and  just  behind  them,  and  connecting  with  the  main 
sculpture  hall,  are  two  rooms,  one  19  ft.  by  43 J  ft.,  the  other 
19  ft.  square.  These  rooms  can  be  used  for  a  school  of  de- 
sign, which  it  is  proposed  to  establish. 

On  the  1.  of  the  vestibule  is  the  trustees'  room,  25  ft.  by  33 
ft.,  and  adjoining  is  the  library,  20  ft.  by  65  ft.  These  gal- 
leries are  connected  by  spacious  arched  doors. 

The  picture  galleries  are  on  the  second  floor.  The  main 
stairs  open  into  a  hall  28  ft.  wide  by  42 J  ft.  long,  on  either 
side  of  which  are  small  galleries.  The  grand  picture  gallery, 
entered  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  is  45  ft.  wide  by  96  ft.  long. 
There  are  three  small  galleries  fronting  on  Pennsylvania  av., 
the  centre  one,  being  an  octagon,  is  25  ft.  The  other  two 
are  25  ft.  by  32  ft.  In  the  rear  of  these,  and  extending  along 
the  sides  of  the  building,  are  two  galleries,  19 J  ft.  by  43 J  ft. 

All  these  galleries  are  lighted  by  sky-lights,  and  are  so  ar- 
ranged that  the  quantity  can  be  regulated  as  desired.  These 
galleries  are  connected  with  each  other  by  lofty  arched  doors, 
thus  affording  a  continuous  passage  around  the  floor.  The 


CORCORAN  GALLERY  OF  ART. 


191 


cornices  and  ceilings  of  the  various  galleries  are  enriched 
with  panel  ornaments  and  moldings  representing  American 
foliage.  The  floors  are  laid  on  brick  arches,  which  rest  on 
iron  girders. 

The  building  was  formally  conveyed  by  the  donor,  W.  W.- 
Corcoran, Esq.,  of  Washington,  to  a  board  of  trustees  in 
1869,  who  were  incorporated  in  1870. 

The  basis  of  the  collection  of  paintings  and  statuary  is  the 
rare  and  valuable  private  gallery  of  Mr.  Corcoran,  which  cost 
upwards  of  $100,000.   The  collections  comprise — 

In  Statuary,  Powers'  Greek  Slave,  in  the  octagon  room, 
second  floor,  fitted  up  with  reference  to  the  special  exhibition 
of  this  very  superior  work  of  art.  In  the  same  room  are 
busts  of  celebrated  men,  and  other  objects  of  interest. 

In  Bronzes,  on  the  first  floor,  two  thirds  of  all  the  bronzes 
produced  by  Barye,  numbering  about  70  pieces. 

In  Antiquities,  reproductions  of  vases,  cups,  dishes,  &c, 
discovered  in  an  excavation  made  at  Hildersheim  on  the  site 
of  a  former  Koman  camp. 

Of  the  Paintings,  in  the  grand  hall  on  the  second  floor,  of  . 
the  private  collection  of  Mr.  Corcoran,  donated  to  the  gallery, 
may  be  mentioned,  "The  Adoration  of  the  Shepherds,"  by 
Mengs,  from  the  collection  of  Joseph  Bonaparte  ;  44  The  Flag- 
ellation of  Christ,"  attributed  to  Van  Dyke ;  an  unknown 
Flemish  picture,  440ra  et  Labora,"  dated  1619;  44  The  Vil- 
lage Doctor,"  by  Vennemen;  44 The  Happy  and  Unhappy 
Families,"  by  Brackaleer ;  a  small  Madonna  and  child,  sup- 
posed to  be  by  Murillo ;  a  beautiful  representation  of  a  storm, 
castle  on  a  promontory,  fishermen  puzzled  over  their  nets,  by 
Joseph  Vernet ;  copy  of  Bega's  44  Child  and  Nurse ;  "  a  paint- 
ing by  George  Morland,  representing  a  countryman  coming 
home  at  sunset;  44Shakspeare  and  His  Friends,"  by  Faed; 
44 Mercy's  Dream,"  by  Huntingdon;  44 The  Hudson  in  Au- 
tumn," by  Doughty;  44 The  Departure  and  the  Return,"  by 
Cole,  very  superior ;  44  The  Amazon,"  by  Leutze  ;  44  Milton," 
(playing  the  organ  to  Cromwell  and  his  family,)  by  Leutze ; 
4t  The  Huguenot's  Daughter,"  by  Washington ;  44  Moonrise  at 
Madeira,"  by  Hildebrandt,  painted  for  Mr.  Corcoran  through 
the  instrumentality  of  Baron  v.  Humboldt ;  a  44  Winter  Scene," 
by  Gignoux ;  portraits  of  Washington,  after  Gilbert  Stuart, 
and  Lafayette,  by  Sully ;  Lasteyrie,  by  Rembrandt  Peale ; 
Thomas  Sully,  the  artist,  by  himself ;  Baron  Humboldt,  by 
Madame  Richards,  and  Henry  Clay,  by  Inman. 

Among  the  paintings  added  by  purchase  are,  4 'The  Death 
of  Cassar,"  by  Jerome;  44Comte  de  Wirtemberg  Weeping 
over  the  Body  of  his  Son,"  by  Ary  Sheffer,  (the  original  •) 
44 Spring"  and  44 Twilight,  landscapes,  by  Japy,  (Louis;) 


192  WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  MONUMENT. 


44 La  puit  qui  parle,"  by  Vely ;  "  Spring  Flowers,"  by  Jean- 
nin;  44 Lost  Dogs,"  by  Von  Thoren ;  44  Two  Flowers,"  by 
Conder ;  44  Sunset,"  by  Breton  ;  44  Effect  of  Snow,"  by  Breton; 
^4The  Drought  in  Egypt,"  by  Portael,  which  won  the  prize 
gold  medal  in  the  competition  of  i873  at  the  Crystal  Palace. 

Opposite  the  main  door  of  the  picture  gallery  is  a  line  life- 
size  portrait  of  Mr.  Corcoran  at  69  years  of  age,  founder  of 
the  Institution,  painted  by  Charles  Elliott  in  1867. 

Mr.  Corcoran  was  born  in  Georgetown,  in  1798,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  there.  He  began  business  as  an  auction- 
eer and  commission  merchant.  In  1S37  he  became  a  banker  in 
Washington.  In  1840  he  became  associated  with  George  W. 
Riggs,  and  retired  from  business  in  1854.  Mr.  Corcoran  still 
enjoys  excellent  health. 

Among  the  interesting  objects  ordered  are  plaster  copies  of 
about  two-thirds  of  the  Elgin  marbles  in  the  British  Museum  ; 
a,  collection  of  porcelain  and  Fayance  manufacture  ;  copies  of 
the  Baptistry  Gates  at  Florence  ;  and  antiques  being  cast  in 
plaster  in  Paris  and  Rome. 


WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  MONUMENT. 

This  long-neglected  tribute  to  the  life  and  character  of 
George  Washington,  occupies  a  conspicuous  site  on  a  small 
plateau  near  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  W.  of  the  Mall,  where 
the  Tiber  formerly  emptied  into  the  main  stream,  and  S.  of 
the  President's  House. 

The  Monument  Grounds,  or  Park,  as  originally  designated, 
have  an  area  of  45  a.  An  avenue  69  ft  wide  connects  Execu- 
tive av.  with  the  Drive  which,  leaving  the  lake  on  the  1.,  fol- 
lows the  line  of  the  river  bank,  winds  around  the  Monument, 
and  communicates  with  the  grounds  of  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  at  14th  st.  W.  A  short  distance  W.  of  the  Mon- 
ument may  be  seen  the  stone  which  marks  the  centre  of  the 
District  of  Columbia.  On  the  hillside  to  the  S.  are  the  Gov- 
ernment Propagating  Garden  and  Nursery. 

The  Design.— The  design  of  the  Monument,  prepared  by 
Robert  Mills,  comprehencfs  an  appropriate  National  testimo- 
nial to  the  services  of  the  great  citizen  in  whose  honor  it  was 
founded,  and  at  the  same  time  symbolizes  the  Republic  estab- 
lished by  his  patriotism  and  discretion.  It  embraces  the  idea 
of  a  grand  circular  colonnaded  building,  250  ft.  in  diameter, 


WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  MONUMENT.  1  93 

and  100  ft.  high,  from  which  springs  an 
obelisk  shaft  70  ft.  at  the  base  and  500 
ft.  high. 

The  vast  rotunda,  forming  the  grand 
base  of  the  monument,  is  surrounded  by 
30  columns  of  massive  proportions,  be- 
ing 12  ft.  in  diameter  and  45  ft.  high, 
elevated  upon  a  lofty  base  or  stylobate 
of  20  ft.  elevation  and  300  ft.  square, 
surmounted  by  an  entablature  20  ft. 
high,  and  crowned  by  a  massive  balus- 
trade 15  ft.  in  height. 

The  terrace  outside  of  the  colonnade 
is  25  ft.  wide,  and  the  pronaos  or  walk 
within  the  colonnade,  including  the  col- 
umn space,  25  ft.    The  walks  inclosing 
the  cella,  or  gallery  within,  are  fretted 
with  30  massive  pilasters  10  ft.  wide,  45 
ft.  high,  and  7J  ft.  projection,  answer- 
ing to  the  columns  in  front,  surmounted 
Washington  monument.  by  their  appropriate  architrave.  The 
deep  recesses  formed  by  the  projection 
of  the  pilasters  provide  suitable  niches  for  the  reception  of 
statues. 

A  tetrastyle  portico,  (four  columns  in  front,)  in  triple  rows 
of  the  same  proportions  and  order  with  the  columns  of  the 
colonnade,  distinguishes  the  entrance  to  the  monument,  and 
serves  as  a  pedestal  for  the  triumphal  car  and  statue  of  the 
illustrious  chief.  The  steps  to  this  portico  are  flanked  by 
massive  blockings,  surmounted  by  appropriate  figures  and 
trophies. 

Over  each  column,  in  the  great  frieze  of  the  entablatures, 
around  the  entire  building,  are  sculptured  escutcheons,  (coats 
of  arms  of  each  State  in  the  Union,)  surrounded  by  bronze 
civic  wreaths,  banded  together  by  festoons  of  oak  leaves,  &c, 
all  of  which  spring  (each  way)  from  the  centre  of  the  portico, 
where  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  United  States  is  emblazoned. 

The  statues  surrounding  the  rotunda  outside,  under  the 
colonnade,  are  all  elevated  upon  pedestals,  and  will  be  those 
of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Ascending  the  portico  outside  to  the  terrace  level  a  lofty 
vomitoria,  (doorway,)  30  ft.  high,  leads  into  the  cella,  (rotunda 
gallery,)  50  ft.  wide,  500  ft.  hi  circumference,  and  08  ft.  high, 
with  a  colossal  pillar  in  the  centre  70  ft.  in  diameter,  around 
which  the  gallery  sweeps.  This  pillar  forms  the  foundation 
of  the  obelisk  column  above. 

Both  sides  of  the  gallery  are  divided  into  spaces  by  pilas- 


194  WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  MONUMENT. 


ters,  elevated  on  a  continued  zocle  or  base  5  ft.  high,  forming 
an  order,  with  its  entablature,  40  ft.,  crowned  by  a  vaulted 
ceiling  20  ft.,  divided  by  radiating  arche vaults  corresponding 
with  the  relative  positions  of  the  opposing  pilasters,  and  in- 
closing deep  sunken  coffers  enriched  with  paintings. 

The  spaces  between  the  pilasters  are  sunk  into  niches  for 
the  reception  of  the  statues  of  the  fathers  of  the  Revolution, 
contemporary  with  Washington ;  over  which  are  large  tablets 
to  receive  the  national  paintings  commemorative  of  the  bat- 
tles and  other  scenes  of  that  memorable  period.  Opposite  to 
the  entrance  of  this  gallery,  at  the  extremity  of  the  great  cir- 
cular wall,  is  the  grand  niche  for  the  reception  of  the  statue 
of  the  " Father  of  his  Country,"  elevated  on  its  appropriate 
pedestal,  and  designated  as  principal  in  the  group  by  its  co- 
lossal proportions. 

This  spacious  gallery  and  rotunda,  which  properly  may  be 
denominated  the  " national  Pantheon,"  is  lighted  in  4  grand 
divisions  from  above. 

Entering  the  centre  pier  through  an  arched  way,  you  pass 
into  a  spacious  circular  area,  and  ascend  with  an  easy  grade, 
by  a  railway,  to  the  grand  terrace,  75  ft.  above  the  base  of  the 
monument.  This  terrace  is  700  ft.  in  circumference,  180  ft. 
wide,  inclosed  by  a  colonnade  balustrade  15  ft.  high,  with  its 
base  and  capping.  The  circuit  of  this  grand  terrace  is  studded 
with  small  temple-formed  structures,  constituting  the  cupolas 
of  the  lanterns,  lighting  the  pantheon  gallery  below. 

Through  the  base  of  the  great  circle  of  the  balustrade  are  4 
apertures  at  the  4  cardinal  points,  leading  outside  of  the  bal- 
ustrade upon  the  top  of  the  main  cornice,  where  a  gallery  6 
ft.  wide  and  750  ft.  in  circumference  encircles  the  whole,  in- 
closed by  an  ornamental  guard,  forming  the  crowning  mem- 
ber on  the  top  of  the  tholus  of  the  main  cornice  of  the  grand 
colonnade.  Within  the  thickness  of  this  wall  staircases  de- 
scend to  a  lower  gallery  over  the  plafond  of  the  pronaos  of 
the  colonnade,  lighted  from  above.  This  gallery,  which  ex- 
tends around  the  colonnade,  is  20  ft.  wide,  divided  into  rooms 
for  the  records  of  the  monument,  works  of  art,  or  studios  for 
artists  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  monument.  Two  other 
ways  communicate  with  this  gallery  from  below. 

In  the  centre  of  the  grand  terrace  above  described  rises  the 
lofty  obelisk  shaft  of  the  monument,  70  ft.  square  at  the  base, 
and  500  ft.  high,  diminishing  as  it  rises  to  its  apex,  where  it 
is  40  ft.  square ;  at  the  foot  of  this  shaft,  and  on  each  face, 
project  4  massive  zocles  25  ft.  high,  supporting  so  many  co- 
lossal symbolic  tripods  of  victory  20  ft.  high,  surmounted  by 
facial  columns  with  their  symbols  of  authority.  These  zocle 
faces  are  embellished  with  inscriptions,  which  are  continued 


WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  MONUMENT. 


195 


around  the  entire  base  of  the  shaft,  and  occupy  the  surface  of 
that  part  of  the  shaft  between  the  tripods.  On  each  face  of 
the  shaft,  above  this,  is  sculptured  the  four  leading-  events  in 
Washington's  career  in  basso  relievo,  and  above  this  the  shaft 
is  perfectly  plain  to  within  50  ft.  of  its  summit,  where  a  sim- 
ple star  is  placed,  emblematic  of  the  glory  which  the  name  of 
Washington  has  attained. 

To  ascend  to  the  summit  of  the  column,  the  same  facilities 
as  below  are  provided  within  the  shaft  by  an  easy-graded  gal- 
ley, which  may  be  traversed  by  a  railway  terminating  in  a 
circular  observatory  20  ft.  in  diameter,  around  which,  at  the 
top,  is  a  lookout  gallery  which  opens  a  prospect  all  around 
the  horizon. 

The  inner  space,  or  that  under  the  grand  gallery  or  rotun- 
da, may  be  appropriated  to  catacombs  for  the  reception  of  the 
remains  of  such  distinguished  men  as  the  nation  may  honor 
with  interment  here. 

In  the  centre  of  the  monument  is  placed  the  tomb  of  Wash- 
ington, to  receive  his  remains,  should  they  be  removed  thither, 
the  descent  to  which  is  by  a  broad  flight  of  steps,  lighted  by 
the  same  light  which  illumines  his  statue. 

Description. — In  its  present  state  the  Monument  is  174  ft. 
high.  It  rests  on  a  solid  foundation  of  Potomac  gneiss  rock, 
81  ft.  square  at  the  base,  8  feet  below  the  surface,  and  18  ft. 
above,  narrowing  to  60  ft.  square.  The  base  of  the  obelisk 
is  55  ft.  square  outside,  the  walls  being  15  ft.  thick,  and  25 
ft.  square  inside.  The  outer  surface  consists  of  heavy  blocks 
of  costal  marble,  from  Maryland,  laid  in  regular  courses  of 
about  2  ft.,  and  backed  to  the  required  thickness  by  gneiss 
rock,  as  used  in  the  foundation.  The  inside  of  the  wall  is 
perpendicular,  while  the  outer  surface  gradually  recedes.  At 
the  summit,  when  completed,  the  walls  will  have  a  thickness 
of  but  2  ft.  The  interior  will  be  provided  with  an  iron  stair- 
case. The  tablets  already  built  in  the  interior  walls  are  ar- 
ranged to  correspond  with  the  galleries  of  the  proposed 
stairway. 

The  Monument,  as  it  now  stands,  cost  $230,000,  and  was 
six  years  in  building,  when  the  funds  ran  out.  The  esti- 
mated cost  of  the  obelisk  is  $550,000,  and  pantheon  $570,000 
additional.    Total,  $1,120,000. 

The  Monument  completed  would  rank  with  the  loftiest 
works  of  ancient  or  modern  times,  viz  :  Tower  of  Babel,  680 
ft. ;  Washington  Monument  completed,  600  ft. ;  Cologne 
Cathedral  completed,  511  ft. ;  Balbec,  500  ft. ;  Pyramid  of 
Cheops,  480  ft. ;  Cathedral,  Strasbourg,  474  ft. ;  St.  Peter's, 
Rome,  458  ft. ;  St.  Stephen,  Vienna,  445  ft. ;  Cathedral,  Salis- 


196 


ARMORY. 


bury,  England,  406  ft.;  Cathedral,  Antwerp,  405  ft.;  St 
Paul's  Cathedral,  London,  404  ft. ;  Cathedral,  Milan,  400  ft. 

The  Lapidarmm.— In  the  low  wooden  building*  KE.  of  the 
Monument  may  be  seen  the  tablets  intended  for  the  interior 
of  the  Monument,  to  be  placed  the  same  as  those  already 
used.  A  keeper,  who  has  charge  of  the  keys,  resides  on  the 
ground,  and  will  exhibit  the  Monument  and  tablets,  81  in 
number,  to  visitors. 

Among  the  American  contributions  are  a  block  of  native 
copper,  weighing  2,100  pounds,  from  Michigan,  and  12  bricks 
from  the  birthplace  of  Washington.  The  contributions  from 
abroad  are  from  Mount  Vesuvius ;  Swiss  Republic ;  a  block  of 
granite  from  the  Alexandrian  Library,  Egypt ;  China ;  Bre- 
men; Saltan  of  Turkey;  the  Temple  of  Carthage,  Africa; 
ancient  Egyptian  head;  Governor  and  Commune  of  the 
Islands  of  Paros  and  Naxos;  Temple  of  Esculapius,  island 
of  Paros ;  Greek  Government ;  and  Japan. 

History, — Repeated  attempts  have  been  made  to  erect  a 
suitable  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Washington.  In  1783  the 
Continental  Congress  passed  a  resolution  for  a  National 
Monument.  The  site  for  the  Monument,  near  the  present 
undertaking,  was  approved  by  Washington  himself  in  the 
first  plan  of  the  city.  In  1800  a  bill  passed  in  one  House  of 
Congress  to  erect  a  "  mausoleum  of  American  granite  and 
marble  in  pyramidal  form,  100  ft.  square  at  the  base,  and  of 
proportionate  height . ' ' 

The  Washington  National  Monument  Association,  the  name 
by  which  the  association  of  distinguished  gentlemen  who 
projected  the  monument  was  known,  was  organized  in  1835. 
The  amount  collected  to  1848  was  $230,000.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  July  4, 1848,  with  Masonic  ceremonies,  and  in 
the  presence  of  4,000  people.  Repeated  efforts  have  since 
been  made  to  effect  its  completion,  but  without  success. 


ARMORY. 

This  building  stands  on  the  SE.  portion  of  the  Mall,  E.  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  fronts  on  6th  st.  W.  The 
main  entrance  is  on  the  E.,  where  a  flight  of  steps  leads  to 
the  drill-rooms  on  the  second  and  third  floors. 

The  first  floor  is  paved  and  arranged  for  artillery,  there 
being  three  suitable  entrances  on  the  N.  and  S.  sides  of  the 


CHURCHES. 


197 


building.  Each  floor  is  supported  by  12  iron  pillars,  and  is 
provided  with  gun  racks  and  cases  for  accoutrements.  The 
building  is  about  103  by  57  ft.  In  1853  Congress  authorized 
the  erection  of  the  building,  to  be  used  for  the  care  of  ord- 
nance arms,  accommodation  of  volunteers  and  military  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  for  the  preservation  of  military 
trophies  of  the  revolution  and  other  wars.  It  was  finished  in 
1857.  The  building  has  long  been  out  of  use.  It  is  proposed 
to  place  it  in  repair  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  origi- 
nally intended. 


CHUBCHES. 

The  capital  possesses  many  church  edifices  which,  in  ar- 
chitectural display  and  dimension?,  have  kept  pace  with  the 
growth  of  the  population  in  numbers  and  affluence.  The 
finest  are  the  Metropolitan  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  which  are 
also  an  interesting  collection  of  relics  from  the  Holy  Land 
and  memorial  windows,  First  Congregational,  New- York 
Av.  Presbyterian,  Epiphany  Protestant  Episcopal,  Foundry 
Methodist,  Calvary  Baptist,  and  St.  Aloysivs,  Roman  Catho- 
lic. Of  the  colored  churches,  the  Fifteenth  St.  Presbyterian 
and  Nineteenth  St.  Baptist  are  very  fine  structures. 

A  list  of  leading  churches  and  locations  will  be  found  in 
General  Information . 

In  1794  the  Washington  Parish  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  to  include  the  cities  of  Washington  and  George- 
town, was  formed  out  of  St.  John's  and  St".  Paul's  Parishes. 
The  parish  of  Christ  Church  was  next  created,  and  the 
church  edifice  near  the  Navy  Yard  was  erected  about  1800. 
For  sixteen  years  it  was  the  only  Episcopal  place  of  worship 
in  the  city.  It  was  attended  b}^  Jefferson  and  Madison.  Ser- 
vices are  still  held  in  the  same  structure.  The  first  Presby- 
terian church  services  were  held  in  1793,  in  the  carpenter 
shop  used  by  the  joiners  at  work  on  the  President's  House. 
The  first  Baptist  church  began  worship  in  1802,  and  com- 
menced a  building  on  the  corner  of  I  and  19th  sts.  NW.  in 
1803.  The  first  Presbyterian  church  on  F  st.  was  established 
in  1803,  services  being  first  held  in  the  hall  of  the  Treasury 
building.  In  1826  their  new  building  was  completed.  St. 
Patrick's,  Roman  Catholic,  was  established  in  1810.  A 
Methodist  church  was  erected  near  the  Navy  Yard  in  1805, 
but  meetings  had  been  held  in  the  city  before.  St.  John's 
Episcopal  Church,  on  the  NE.  corner  of  16th  and  H  sts. 


198 


HALLS. 


NW.,  opposite  Lafayette  Square,  was  erected  in  1816,  from 
designs  by  Latrobe,  the  architect  of  the  Capitol.  In  1820  it 
was  enlarged,  and  its  original  form,  a  Greek  cross,  was 
changed  to  a  Latin,  and  a  portico  and  steeple  added.  Among 
those  who  attended  services  here  were  Presidents  Madison, 
Monroe,  and  Jackson,  and  the  diplomatic  representatives  of 
England.  The  first  Unitarian  church,  on  6th  and  D  sts. 
NW.,  fronting  on  Louisiana  av.,  was  erected  in  1824. 


HALLS. 

There  are  a  number  of  halls  in  various  parts  of  the  city. 

Masonic  Temple  is  on  the  NW.  corner  of  F  and  9th  sts. 
NW.,  entrance  on  F  St.,  and  was  erected  by  the  Masonic  Hall 
Association.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  1868.  The  build- 
ing is  of  granite  and  Connecticut  and  Nova  Scotia  freestone, 
and  cost  $200,000.  The  two  exposed  faces  are  tastefully  en- 
riched with  an  appropriate  introduction  of  Masonic  symbols. 
The  ground-floor  is  occupied  by  stores,  and  the  second  by  a 
public  hall,  100  by  48  ft.  and  25  ft.  high,  and  retiring  rooms. 
The  hall  has  been  the  scene  of  some  of  the  most  brilliant 
balls  and  State  sociables  given  at  the  capital.  In  the  third 
story  are  the  Blue  Lodges  of  Masonry,  and  in  the  fourth  the 
Eoj^al  Arch  Chapters  and  Commanderies.  The  furniture  and 
fittings  of  the  lodges  are  of  superior  quality,  and  are  unsur- 
passed in  any  similar  place  in  the  country.  A  lodge  of  Ma- 
sons was  established  in  the  earliest  days  of  the  capital.  Prior 
to  1816  there  were  two  which  assembled  in  a  building  on  the 
borders  of  the  river.  Under  the  pavement  of  the  Temple,  on 
the  S.  front,  is  what  was  formerly  known  as  the  City  Spring. 

Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  situated  on  7th  st.  W.,  bet.  D  and  E 
sts.  The  earlier  building  was  dedicated  in  1846,  and  erected 
out  of  funds  subscribed  by  the  lodges  and  members  meeting 
in  the  central  part  of  the  city.  It  was  remodeled  in  1873.  It 
has  a  granite  base  and  pressed-brick  superstructure,  with  gal- 
van  ized-iron  pilasters,  jambs,  caps,  and  cornice,  and  is  sur- 
mounted by  three  domes,  that  in  the  centre  raised  above  the 
others.  The  ground-floor  is  occupied  by  stores.  The  stair- 
way at  the  main  entrance  leads  to  the  main  hall,  on  the  sec- 
ond floor.  The  hall  is  100  by  40  ft.  and  22  ft.  high,  and  fitted 
with  a  stage  of  21  ft.  additional,  at  the  E.  end.  It  is  princi- 
pally designed  for  balls,  concerts,  and  lectures.  Adjoining 


NEWSPAPER  OFFICES. 


199 


are  ladies'  retiring  and  gentlemen's  cloak-rooms.  The  third 
floor  contains  two  lodge  and  one  Encampment  rooms.  The 
Library,  on  the  same  floor,  for  the  use  of  members  of  the 
Order  and  their  families,  contains  a  fine  collection  of  books. 
The  first  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
was  established  in  the  District  of  Columbia  in  1827  ;  the 
Grand  Lodge  followed  in  1828. 

Lincoln  Hall. — This  fine  structure  stands  on  the  NE.  cor- 
ner of  9th  and  D  sts.  NW.  It  is  built  of  Seneca  brownstone, 
with  iron  trimmings,  is  three  stories  high,  surmounted  by  a 
Mansard  roof.  The  corner-stone  on  the  SW.  bears  the  in- 
stription,  "Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Nov.  xxvn,  mdccclxvii.  Jeho- 
vah Jireh."  The  building  was  erected  by  a  joint  stock 
company  chartered  by  act  of  Congress  in  1867,  and  was  com- 
pleted in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $200,000.  On  the  ground  floor  are 
stores.  There  are  two  entrances  to  the  upper  floors  :  the  main 
one  to  the  Library  and  Heading  Koom  and  Lincoln  Hall  on 
D  st. ;  the  smaller,  on  9th  st. 

The  Free  Reading  Room  and  Library  and  the  Parlors  of  the 
Association  {open  to  the  public  every  day  except  Sunday,  from 
9  a,  m,  to  10^?.  m.)  are  on  the  second  floor  under  the  Hall,  en- 
trances on  both  sts.  The  Library  contains  about  17,000  vols., 
including  the  leading  secular  and  religious  newspapers  of  the 
country.  The  Washington  City  Library,  founded  in  1814, 
has  been  consolidated  with  it. 

On  the  same  floor  is  Lincoln  Hall,  the  finest  lecture  or  con- 
cert hall  in  the  city,  which  will  seat  about  1,300  people. 
During  each  winter  a  course  of  lectures  is  given  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Association.  In  its  scientific  course,  the  As- 
sociation is  aided  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  In  addition 
to  Lincoln  Hall  there  is  a  smaller  hall,  used  for  religious  and 
social  gatherings  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
which  are  held  twice  daily,  at  noon  and  6p.m.    Open  to  all. 

Willard's  Hall,  on  F  st,,  between  14th  and  15th  sts.  W., 
also  affords  excellent  accommodations  for  concerts  or  theatri- 
cals. 


KEWSPAPEK  OFFICES. 

The  buildings  occupied  by  two  of  the  principal  newspapers 
of  the  city  will  compare  favorably  in  completeness,  if  not  in 
size,  with  the  best  structures  of  the  kind  in  the  country. 


INSTITUTIONS  OF  LEARNING. 


201 


UNIVERSITIES  AND  COLLEGES. 


^  The  public  institutions  of  the  national  Capital  afford  un- 
rivaled facilities  for  professional  and  collegiate  education. 


NATIONAL  MEDICAL  COLLEGE. 


The  National  Medical  College  of  the  Columbian  University, 
on  H  St.,  between  13th  and  14th  sts.  N".  W.,  was  founded  ira 
1824.  The  building  was  the  gift  of  W.  W.  Corcoran,  1864, 
cost  $40,000,  was  originally  intended  for  a  mechanics1  library 
and  lectures,  contains  two  lecture  rooms,  with  ante  roomsr 
chemical  laboratory,  and  dissecting  room.  In  winter  the  jan- 
itor will  admit  visitors.  The  Dispensary  is  open  daity,  except 
Sunday,  from  1  to  3  p.  m.,  to  the  poor.  The  Law  Depart- 
ment^  Columbian  University,  established  1826,  occupies  a 
building  on  5th  St.,  between  D  and  E  sts.  N".  W. 

The  Medical  and  Law  Departments  of  Georgetown  College, 
respectively  established  in  1851  and  1870,  occupy  buildings- 
on  the  corner  of  10th  and  E  sts.  and  F  between  9th  and  10th 
sts.  ~N.  W.  In  the  former  is  the  Central  Dispensary,  opea 
daily,  except  Sunday,  from  1  to  3  p.  m. 

The  Gonzaga  College,  on  I,  between  North  Capitol  and 
1st  sts.  N.  Wi,  was  founded  in  1848  as  the  Washington  Sem- 
inary, and  incorporated  as  a  university  in  1858.  It  is  con- 
ducted by  the  fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  for  day  scholars 
only. 


202 


SCHOOLS. 


SCHOOLS. 

The  Public  Schools  are  among  the  prominent  features  of  the 
National  Capital.  Of  the  buildings  are  the  Franklin,  1st  dis- 
trict, cor.  13th  and  K  sts.  NW.,  brick,  148  X  79  ft.,  basement 
and  three  stories,  erected  in  1869,  and  contains  14  school-rooms. 
This  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  finest  school  buildings  in  the  Uni- 
ted States.  The  Seaton,  2d  district,  on  I,  bet.  2d  and  3d  sts. 
NW.,  brick,  94  X  67  feet,  basement  and  3  stories,  erected  in 
1871.  The  Wallach,  3d  district,  Pennsylvania  av.,  bet.  7th 
and  8th  sts.  SE.,  brick,  99  X  76  ft.,  basement  and  three  sto- 
ries, erected  in  1864.  The  Jefferson,  4th  district,  cor.  of  6th 
and  D  sts.  SW.,  brick,  172  X  88  ft,  basement  and  3  stories, 
with  20  school-rooms,  erected  in  1872.  This  is  the  largest 
school  building  in  the  city.  It  will  accommodate  1,200  pupils. 
It  is  named  after  Thomas  Jefferson,  President  of  the  United 
States,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Public 
Schools  of  Washington,  and  president  of  the  same  1805-' 08. 
Inhere  are  also  fine  grounds. 

In  the  four  school  districts  there  are  43  school  buildings, 
owned  or  rented  by  the  city.  The  oldest  still  standing  was 
erected  in  1800  for  a  stable,  cor.  14th  and  G  sts.  NW. 

The  Colored  Schools  are  distinct  from  those  attended  by 
white  children.  Prior  to  1862  there  were  no  colored  public 
schools.  Subsequently  the  schools  were  under  charitable 
associations  of  the  North. 

The  first  building  was  erected  in  1866,  on  the  square  now 
occupied  by  the  Sumner  building. 

The  Sumner  Building,  on  the  NE.  corner  of  M  and  17th 
sts.  NW.,  was  completed  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $70,000.  It  is 
94  ft.  long,  by  69  ft.  wide,  and  has  a  basement,  3  stories,  and 
a  trussed  roof.  In  it  are  10  school-rooms.  There  are  13 
public  schools  for  colored  children. 

The  annual  expenditures  are  about  $318,000,  One  third 
of  this  sum  is  set  apart  for  colored  schools.  The  total  school 
population  is  17,403.  In  1805  the  revenues  for  the  support 
of  schools  were  derived  from  the  net  proceeds  of  taxes  on 
slaves,  dogs,  licenses  for  carriages  and  hacks,  ordinaries  and 
taverns,  selling  wines  and  spirits,  billiard  tables,  hawkers 
and  pedlers,  theatres  and  other  public  amusements.  In  1806 
there  were  the  E.  and  W.  academies.  In  1826  the  schools 
were  supported  by  lottery.  There  is  now  a  school  tax.  The 
public  schools  were  quartered  in  rented  rooms,  prior  to  the 
dedication  of  the  Wallach  building,  in  1864. 


ASYLUMS. 


203 


ASYLUMS. 

There  are  a  number  of  public  and  private  institutions  for  the 
destitute  and  sick. 

Naval  Hospital  (open  after  12  noon,  during  the  week,  if  no 
severe  cases)  occupies  the  square  between  9th  and  10th  sts. 
E.  and  E  st.  S.  and  Pennsylvania  av.  It  is  accessible  from 
the  Pennsylvania  av.  street  cars  (red)  for  the  Navy  Yard,  at 
E  st.  The  hospital  is  under  the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and 
Surgery  of  the  Navy  deoartment,  and  is  open  to  officers  and 
men  of  the  navy  and  marine  corps.  The  building  consists 
of  a  three-story  brick  edifice,  with  mansard,  and  possesses 
accommodations  for  50  patients.  There  is  a  reading-room  for 
convalescents.  A  medical  director  in  the  navy  is  in  charge. 
Naval  discipline  is  observed. 

National  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Orphan  Home,  on  G  st.  be- 
tween 17th  and  18th  sts.  NW.,  [open  to  visitors  every  day, 
except  Sunday,  after  9  a,  m.,)  was  incorporated  by  Congress 
in  1866,  and  is  supported  by  Government  appropriations.  It 
is  under  the  direction  of  a  Board  of  Lady  Managers,  and  is  for 
the  support  and  education  of  the  orphans  of  the  national  sol- 
diers or  sailors  who  were  killed  or  died  of  wounds  in  the  re- 
bellion of  1861-'65.  No  applicants  are  received  younger  than 
6  years,  nor  retained  after  16  years. 

Columbia  Hospital  for  Women,  and  Lying-in  Asylum, 

incorporated  1866,  (visiting  days  Tuesdays  and  Fridays,  from 
10  a.  m.  to  4  p.  m.,)  is  on  the  corner  of  L  and  25th  sts.  NW. 
The  general  wards  for  50  patients  are  free  to  the  wives  of  sol- 
diers, on  the  permit  of  the  Surgeon  General ;  to  women  of 
other  States,  on  permit  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior ;  and 
to  women  of  the  District,  on  permit  of  the  Governor.  There 
are  also  private  rooms  and  special  wards  for  30  patients,  for 
the  use  of  which  a  small  compensation  is  required.  Connected 
with  the  hospital  is  an  operating  room,  used  for  free  patients 
only,  and  open  every  Saturday  at  3.30  p.  m.,  to  students  of 
medicine  in  the  District.  In  the  W.  wing  is  a  dispensary, 
open  every  dajr,  where  the  poor  receive  medicines  and  treat- 
ment free.  The  institution  is  principally  supported  by  the 
National  Government. 

Washington  Asylum  (open  every  day,  except  Sunday)  is  sit- 
uated in  the  extreme  E.  portion  of  the  city,  on  the  public 
reservation,  No.  17,  laid  out  for  the  purpose.  It  may  be 
reached  in  15  min.  along  C  st.  S.,  leaving  the  Pennsylvania 


201 


ASYLUMS. 


av.  street  cars  (red)  at  that  point.  The  institution  combines 
an  asylum  for  the  poor  of  the  District,  and  a  work-house  for 
persons  convicted  in  the  police  courts  of  minor  crimes  except 
theft.  There  are  accommodations  in  the  brick  buildings  for 
180  persons.  The  first  building  was  erected  in  1815,  but  the 
present  one  in  1859.  On  the  N.  is  the  District  jail,  and  S.  the 
District  nurseries,  and  beyond,  the  Army  and  Navy  maga- 
zines. About  J  m.  distant,  SW.,  is  the  "Congressional" 
Cemetery. 

Louise  Home,  (op en  to.  visitors  every  day,  except  Sunday, 
after  12  noon,)  erected  in  1871,  was  the  gift  of  Mr.  Corcoran. 
It  is  situated  on  Massachusetts  av.,  bet.  loth  and  16th  sts. 
W.  Its  design  is  for  gentlewomen  of  education  and  refine- 
ment, but  reduced  to  poverty.  It  is  named  after  the  wife 
and  daughter  of  Mr.  Corcoran,  both  deceased.  The  build- 
ing, a  commodious  structure,  was  erected  and  furnished  un- 
der the  personal  supervision  of  Mr.  Corcoran,  and,  with  the 
grounds,  cost  $200,000,  and  has  accommodations  for  55  per- 
sons. The  institution  is  under  the  direction  of  a  board  of 
trustees,  and  has  an  endowment  of  $250,000.  The  inmates 
are  invited  by  the  board  of  directresses. 

Providence  General  Hospital,  cor.  2d  and  D  sts.  SE.,  (open 
every  day,  from  10  to  12  a  m.  and  2  to  4  p.  m.)  The  hospital 
is  owned  and  under  the  care  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  It 
was  founded  in  1862,  incorporated  in  1864,  and  the  present 
building  commenced  in  1867.  It  is  about  280  ft.  long,  of 
brick,  and  will  accommodate  250  patients.  Towards  the 
erection  of  the  building,  through  Thaddeus  Stevens,  of  Penn., 
Congress  appropriated  $30,000.  There  is  now  an  annual  ap- 
propriation for  75  non-resident  paupers.  Indigent  persons 
receive  permits  from  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army,  but 
any  one  applying  is  taken  in.  The  accommodations  for  pay 
patients  are  very  superior.  There  is  a  medical  stafif  of  12 
physicians;  also,  a  reading-room,  library,  chapel,  and  oper- 
ating-room. 

The  Washington  City  Orphan  Asylum,  on  I,  bet.  2d  and  3d 
sts.  NW..  was  founded  in  1815,  Dolly  P.  Madison,  wife  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  being  first  directress  and  Mrs. 
Van  Ness  second.  It  was  incorporated  in  1828,  and  the  cor- 
ner-stone of  the  first  building  was  laid  by  Mrs.  Van  Ness  on 
Mausoleum  square,  on  H,  bet.  9th  and  10th  sts.  NW.,  the 
burial-ground  of  the  Burns  family.  The  building  is  now  oc- 
cnpied^by  the  St.  Joseph's  Orphan  Asylum.  It  is  under 
the  direction  of  the  benevolent  ladies  of  the  city.  The  present 


ASYLUMS. 


205 


building  is  but  temporarily  occupied,  that  erected  for  the  per- 
manent use  of  the  Asylum  being  now  rented  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  State. 

Children's  Hospital,  on  E,  bet.  8th  and  9th  sts.  NW.,  (visit- 
ing days  Sundays,  Tuesdays*  and  Fridays,  from  3  to  5  p.  m.,) 
incorporated  in  1871.  It  is  under  the  patronage  of  benevo- 
lent ladies  and  gentlemen,  of  the  city,  and  has  for  its  object 
the  free  provision  of  surgical  and  medical  treatment  for  the 
helpless  children  of  the  District  between  the  ages  of  15  mos. 
and  15  yrs.  Admissions  through  the  Board  Physicians.  The 
sick  of  the  City  Orphan  Asylum  are  also  treated  here.  There 
is  a  free  dispensary  connected  with  the  hospital,  open  to  all 
every  day  except  Sunday,  from  12  m.  to  3  p.  m. 

St.  John's  Hospital,  for  children,  (visiting  days  Mondays 
and  Thursdays,  from  2  to  5  p.  m.,)  on  I,  bet.  20th  and  21st 
sts,  NW.,  is  under  the  St.  John's  Sisterhood  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  The  Hospital  will  shortly  occupy  its  new  premises, 
on  H,  bet.  19th  and  20th  sts.  NW. 

St.  Ann's  Infant  Asylum,  founded  in  1863,  is  on  the  corner 
of  K  and  24th  sts.  NVV.,  (visiting  days  Thursdays,  from  2  to  5 
p.  m.)  It  is  under  the  management  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity, 
and  for  the  children,  under  5  years,  of  the  poor.  There  is  a 
lying-in  hospital  attached. 

St.  Joseph's  Male  Orphan  Asylum,  founded  in  1855,  (visit- 
ing days  Saturdays,  from  2  to  5  p.  m.,)  on  H,  bet.  9th  and  10th 
sts.  NW.,  is  under  the  care  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Holy  Cross. 
The  male  children  at  St.  Ann's,  arriving  at  5  years  of  age, 
are  sent  here.  The  building  previously  belonged  to  the 
Washington  City  Orphan  Asylum,  and  was  purchased  in 
1866. 

St  Vincent's  Female  Orphan  Asylum,  founded  in  1831, 
(visiting  every  day,  except  Saturday  and  Sunday,  bet.  9  and  11 
a.  ra.,)  is  on  the  SW.  cor.  of  H  and  10th  sts.  NW.  It  is  under 
the  care  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  To  this  are  transferred  the 
female  children  at  St.  Ann's  arriving  at  5  years  of  age. 

A  branch  of  this  asylum,  St.  Rose's  Orphan  Home,  estab- 
lished in  1871,  and  owned  and  cared  for  by  the  Sisters  of 
Charity,  is  situated  on  G,  bet.  20th  and  21st  sts.  NW.  Here 
the  children,  13  years  of  age,  are  sent  and  taught  a  trade. 
It  is  open  at  any  time,  and  sewing  of  all  kinds  for  ladies  and 
children  is  taken. 

The  Epiphany  Church  Home  is  on  H,  bet.  14th  and  loth 
sts.  W. 


CEMETERIES. 


The  Home  for  the  Aged,  under  the  Little  Sisters  of  the 
Poor,  is  on  the  NW.  cor.  of  3d  and  H  sts.  NE. 


CEMETERIES. 

TWO  squares  known  as  the  Eastern  and  Western  Burial- 
grounds,  were  allotted  by  the  Government,  in  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century,  for  the  interment  of  the  dead.  The 
Eastern,  which  stood  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  was  re- 
moved a  few  years  since.  The  Western,  later  known  as 
Holmead  Cemetery,  on  19th  St.,  bet.  S  and  T  sts.  NW.,  is  be- 
ing removed.  Here,  for  40  years,  rested  the  remains  of  Lo- 
renzo Dow,  removed  to  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  in  1874. 

Congressional  (or  Washington  Parish)  Cemetery,  (open  every 
day*  except  Sunday,)  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Anacos- 
tia,  and  is  accessible  from  the  Washington  and  Georgetown 
Street  Railway  East, 
along  E.  st.  S.,  dis- 
tant £  m.  The  Cem- 
etery, laid  out  in 
1807,  originally  com- 
prised about  10  a., 
but  now  embraces  30 
a.  The  name  Con- 
gressional originated 
from  the  fact  that  a 
number  of  sites  are 
set  apart  for  the  in- 
terment of  members 
of  Congress,  in  re- 
turn for  Government 
donations  of  land  and 
money.  The  small 
freestone  cenotaphs, 
to  the  memory  of  de-  congressional  cemetery,  cenotaphs. 
ceased  members  of 

Congress,  form  a  conspicuous  feature.  The  grounds  are 
adorned  with  drives,  walks,  trees,  shrubs,  evergreens,  and  a 
large  fountain. 

The  oldest  graves  lie  N.  of  the  lodge,  and  are  of  date  1804-5. 
Near  the  superintendent's  lodge  is  the  grave  of  Commodore 
Tingey,  second  in  command  in  the  Algerine  war.  In  the  NE. 
portion  lies  George  Clinton,  of  New  York,  Vice  President 
of  the  United  States,  died  in  1 811 ,  and  Elbridge  Gerry,  of  Mass- 


CEMETERIES. 


207 


achusetts,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and 
Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  died  in  1814.  This 
monument  was  erected  by  act  of  Congress.  Not  far  off  is 
the  grave  of  Tobias  Lear,  private  secretary  and  friend  of 
George  Washington,  died  in  1816.  Near  by  are  the  graves 
of  John  Forsyth,  Secretary  of  State,  and  Commodore  Mont- 
gomery. On  the  1.  of  the  walk  is  the  monument  of  Pus-ma- 
ta-ha,  a  Choctaw  chief,  the  white  man's  friend,  who  died  at 
Washington  in  1824.  Further  on  is  the  monument  to  Wil- 
liam Wirt,  Attorney  General  of  the  United  States  1817-1829, 
died  1834.  On  the  1.  of  the  carriage  road,  near  the  fountain, 
is  the  grave  of  General  Alexander  Macomb,  Commander-in- 
chief  of  the  United  States  Army,  who  died  1841.  This  mon- 
ument is  a  handsome  piece  of  workmanship,  appropriately 
embellished  and  inscribed.  A  few  feet  off  stands  a  broken 
shaft  over  the  remains  of  Major  General  Jacob  Brown,  Com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  United  States  Army,  died  1828. 

In  the  same  vicinity  is  a  monument  to  Abel  Parker  Up- 
shur, Secretary  of  the  Navy  1841,  Secretary  of  State  1843, 
died  1844,  and  Captain  Kennon,  killed  by  the  explosion  of 
the  great  gun  on  board  the  United  States  frigate  Princeton. 
A  few  paces  off  stands  the  collossal  monument  to  Joseph 
Lovel,  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States  Army,  died 
1836.  Near  by  is  the  monument  erected  to  Major  General 
George  Gibson,  U.  S.  A.,  Commissary  General  of  Subsist- 
ence, 1861,  and  to  Frederick  Rogers,  midshipman  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  drowned  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  1828,  while 
making  efforts  to  save  Midshipmen  Slidell  and  Harrison,  his 
friends  and  companions  in  life  and  death. 

Among  others  are  the  Wainwright  family,  consisting  of 
Commodore  Richard  Wainwright,  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  R.  Auch- 
matty  Wainwright,  Bvt.  Lt.  Col.  Robert  DeWar,  of  the 
United  States  Navy.  All  of  these  lie  in  the  Wainwright 
vault,  in  the  southern  extremity  of  the  grounds.  In  the  S. 
portion  is  the  tomb  of  Alexander  Dallas  Bache,  Superin- 
tendent of  United  States  Coast  Survey  service.  Also  a  mar- 
ble monument,  representing  a  broken  ship's  mast,  to  George 
Mifflin  Bache,  of  the  brig  Washington,  and  his  associates, 
who  perished  at  sea  on  September  3,  1846,  in  a  hurricane. 
Not  far  distant  is  the  monument  erected  to  the  young  ladies 
killed  by  the  arsenal  explosion. 

The  vaults  and  lots  of  some  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the 
District  are  also  in  this  cemetery. 

The  public  vault,  erected  by  Congress,  lies  SE.  of  the 
entrance,  about  the  centre  of  the  cemetery.  It  is  a  massive 
structure,  entered  by  an  iron  door,  which  leads  through  a 
passage  to  a  second  iron  door. 


208 


DISTRICT  GOVERNMENT. 


DISTRICT  GOVERNMENT. 

The  provisional  government  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
occupies  a  building  on  4J  st.  W.,  near  Pennsylvania  av.  It 
is  proposed  to  erect  a  suitable  edifice  on  the  space  immedi- 
ately N.  of  the  Centre  Market. 

Fire  Department —The  force  consists  of  5  Steam  Fire  En- 
gines, 1  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  w!th  officers  and  4 
horses  and  10  men  to  each  Engine.  The  service  is  under  a 
Board  of  Fire  Commissioners.  There  is  also  a  Fire  Alarm 
Telegraph,  with  the  Central  Station  at  Police  Headquarters. 
The  buildings  were  erected  by  the  city,  and  have  every  con- 
venience. The  foreman  will  show  visitors  everything  of 
interest.  The  companies  are  located,  No.  1,  K  St.,  bet.  16th 
and  17th  W. ;  No.  2,  D  St.,  near  12th  NW. ;  No.  3,  Capitol 
Hill,  Delaware  av.  NE.  of  the  Capitol :  No.  4,  Virginia  av., 
bet.  4J  and  6th  sts.  SW. ;  No.  5,  High  st.,  near  Bridge; 
Hook  and  Ladder,  Massachusetts  av.,  bet.  4th  and  5th  sts. 

In  the  early  days  housekeepers  were  required  to  have  a  certain  number  of  buckets, 
with  their  names,  for  each  story.  In  1835  there  were  two  fire  engines,  and  in  1846 
seven.  Jn  1861  the  National  Government  engaged  the  services  of  the  Hibernia 
Steam  Fire  Engine,  of  Philadelphia,  and  brought  the  first  steamer  to  Washington, 
as  a  means  of  protection  for  the  immense  quantities  of  Government  stores.  In  1864 
the  paid  system  went  into  operation.  The  Government  then  owned  three  steam  fire 
engines,  and  the  corporation  three,  and  one  Hook  and  Ladder  Company.  In  1869 
the  Government  steamers  were  withdrawn. 

Metropolitan  Police.— This  was  established  in  1861.  In 
1866  a  police  telegraph  was  constructed.  The  police  force 
consists  of  238  officers  and  men,  with  duties  extending 
throughout  the  entire  District.    There  are  8  precincts. 

District  Jail.— The  present  jail  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
is  a  three-storied  brick  structure,  on  reservation  No.  9,  and 
on  the  SW.  corner  of  G  and  4th  sts.  Anew  jail,  more  suita- 
ble to  the  necessities  of  the  District,  is  being  erected  on  Ees- 
ervation  No.  13,  immediately  N.  of  the  Washington  Asylum. 

The  plan  has  an  outer  range  of  one-storied  buildings  of  solid  masonry,  forming 
the  enclosure  of  the  jail  proper.  The  latter  is  built  of  Maryland  (Seneca)  stone, 
brick,  and  iron,  four  stories  high,  with  ranges  of  cells  on  each  floor,  300  in  all.  Be- 
tween the  inner  building  and  the  outer  walls  there  is  a  space  of  16  ft.  under  the 
surveillance  of  the  guards. 

The  building  is  310  by  193  ft,,  and  from  the  stone  base  to  the  main  cornice  50  ft. 
high,  to  the  ridge  68  ft.,  and  to  the  top  of  the  cupola  90  ft.  On  either  end  of  the 
building  are  ventilating  shafts  86  ft.  high,  and,  in  conjunction  with  steam  pipes 
under  each  tier  of  cells,  preserve  a  regular  temperature.  The  centre  of  the  building 
forms  a  guard  room  77  x  61  ft.,  from  the  floor  of  which  springs  the  staircases  to 
each  tier  of  cells.  The  W.  projection  contains  the  warden's  office,  guard  and 
witness  rooms ;  the  E.,  a  chapel  and  kitchen  ;  the  basement,  the  laundry  and  bath 
rooms.  The  structure  was  designed  by  A.  B.  Mullett,  commenced  in  1872,  and 
cost  $400,000.    It  can  be  easily  converted  into  a  penitentiary. 


THE  MARKETS. 


209 


THE  MARKETS. 

The  country  around  the  National  Capital  produces  fine 
vegetables  of  all  descriptions,  and  the  Potomac  river  and 
Chesapeake  Bay  afford  not  only  fish  and  oysters  unexcelled 
and  in  great  quantities,  but  admirable  facilities  for  supplying 
the  Markets  with  the  earlier  produce  of  more  southern  lati- 
tudes. The  best  qualities  of  meats  and  the  finest  game, 
aquatic  and  field,  are  also  offered  for  sale  at  cheaper  rates 
than  other  large  cities.  There  are  four  principal  markets  in 
the  city,  two  already  accommodated  with  very  fine  perma- 
nent buildings.  Strangers  would  find  the  markets  a  most 
interesting  place  for  a  visit. 

The  largest  is  the  Centre  Market,  erected  by  the  Washington 
Market  Company  in  1870,  comprising  three  commodious  brick 
structures — a  central  building  and  two  wings — length  from 
E.  to  W.,  410  ft.,  and  which  occupy  the  S.  half  of  the  square 
between  7th  and  9th  sts.  W.,  on  the  S.  side  of  Pennsylvania 
av.,  and  accessible  by  horse  cars  on  that  av.  and  7th  and  9th 
sts.    Market  every  day. 

The  Eastern  Market,  on  Capitol  Hill,  at  the  junction  of  7th 
st.  E.  and  North  Carolina  av.,  completed  in  1873,  is  also  a 
fine  la^-ge  brick  structure. 

The  Western  Market,  on  K  between  20th  and  21st  sts.  NW,, 
and  the  Northern  Market,  between  6th  and  7th  and  O  and  P 
sts.  W.,  at  present  temporarily  occupy  sheds.  Brick  struc- 
tures of  large  dimensions  are  now  in  course  of  erection  for 
their  accommodation.  In  the  original  plan  of  the  city,  1791, 
there  were  three  reservations  for  the  E.,  W.,  and  Centre 
Markets ;  the  latter,  however,  is  the  only  one  erected  on  the 
site  originally  set  apart. 

The  Northern  Liberty  Market,  on  5th,  bet.  K  and  L  sts. 
NW.,  J.  H.  McGill,  architect,  erected  1874-'5  by  the  North- 
ern Liberty  Market  Company,  is  one  of  -the  finest  market 
structures  in  the  United  States.  It  is  of  brick,  324  ft.  long, 
126  ft.  wide,  and  105  ft.  total  height.  The  roof  rests  upon 
massive  iron  girders,  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  the  world, 
which  form  an  imposing  arch  the  entire  width  of  the  build- 
ing. In  the  butchers'  portion  there  are  28  sections,  17  x  19  ft., 
each  containing  4  stalls.  Cost,  8140,000.  On  the  E.  is  a 
paved  space  for  the  accommodation  of  market  wagons. 


14 


210  PLACES  OF  HISTORICAL  INTEREST. 


PLACES  OF  HISTOKICAL  INTEREST. 

The  residence  of  Gen.  J.  P.  Van  Ness  still  stands  on  what 
was  known  as  Mansion  Square,  about  6  a.,  at  the  foot  of  17th 
st.  W.,  between  B  and  C  sts.  1ST.,  and  where  the  Tiber  then 
emptied  its  waters  into  the  Potomac.  It  was  previously  the 
residence  of  David  Burns,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of 
the  site  of  Washington,  who  owned,  by  inheritance  through 
several  generations  of  Scottish  ancestors,  what  now  consti- 
tute the  finest  portions  of  the  city.  Gen.  Van  Ness,  a  repre- 
sentative from  New  York,  by  his  marriage,  about  1802,  with 
Marcia  Burns,  sole  heiress  of  the  Burns  estate,  enlarged  the 
buildings,  erected  green  houses,  planted  trees  and  fruits,  and 
made  other  improvements,  then  considered  very  superior. 
The  place  was  then  one  of  the  finest  in  the  country.  The 
square  is  enclosed  by  a  brick  wall,  with  a  fine  gateway  and 
two  lodges.  Many  of  the  venerable  trees  are  still  growing. 
The  Van  Ness  warehouse,  on  the  line  of  17th  st.,  is  still  stand- 
ing, though  very  dilapidated.  The  Washington  canal  ran  just 
S.  of  it.  "Attorney  General  William  Wirt  occupied  the  fine 
old  mansion,  now  the  National  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Orphan 
Asylum,  on  G  St.,  between  17th  and  18th  sts.  W.  The  Old 
Capitol,  now  converted  into  private  residences,  stands  on  the 
NW.  corner  of  A  and  1st  sts.  NE.  Congress  met  here  after 
the  burning  of  the  Capitol  in  1814.  During  the  war  it  was 
used  as  a  political  prison.  Wirz,  the  prison  keeper  of  Ander- 
son ville,  was  executed  here. 

On  North  Carolina  av.,  between  1st  and  2d  sts.  SE.,  stands 
the  venerable  mansion  of  Duddington,  owned  by  Daniel  Car- 
roll, one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  site  of  Washington, 
and  one  of  the  three  commissioners  appointed  in  1791  to  su- 
perintend the  building  of  the  city. 


SECTION  V. 


ENVIRONS  OF  WASHINGTON. 


EORGETOWJST,  the  port  of  entry  of  the  Dis- 
^^^^  ti'ict  of  Columbia,  population  15,000,  lies  N.  W* 
%FtJL  of  Washington,  separated  by  Rock  creek,  and  is  at 
TjSiJKf  the  head  of  navigation  of  the  Potomac  river.  It 
was  laid  out  by  George  Gordon  and  George  Beall* 
^J^gSr*  and  incorporated  in  1789.    The  site  is  peculiarly 
picturesque.    The  "heights,"  dotted  with  villas, 
overlook  a  vast  sweep  of  country,  the  Potomac  and  adjacent 
Capital.    Georgetown  before  1800  enjoyed  considerable  local 
importance,  and  a  brisk  river,  coast,  and  foreign  commerce. 


Copyright,  1874,  DeB.  R.  Keim. 

GEORGETOWN  AND  AQUEDUCT. 

Georgetown  may  be  reached  from  Washington  by  the- 
Metropolitan,  F  st.,  (Georgetown  cars,)  and  the  Washington 
and  Georgetown,  Pennsylvania  av.  horse  cars.  Arriving  by 
the  former  at  Washington  st.,  a  short  walk  leads  to  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery,  (open  every  day  except  Sundays  and  holidays, 
from  sunrise  to  sunset.)  The  original  grounds,  10  a.,  incor- 
porated by  Congress,  1849,  was  the  gift  of  W.  W.  Corcoran,. 


212 


GEORGETOWN. 


from  whom  it  has  an  endownent  of  $120,000.  The  present 
area  is  30  a.  It  oecupies  a  romantic  spot,  formerly  Parrott'S 
woods,  on  the  north- 
ern slope  of  George- 
town Heights,  at  the 
base  of  which  winds 
Kock  creek,  and  has  a 
fine  chapel  and  public 
vault  of  the  time  of 
Henry  VIII. 

Here  is  the  Van  Ness  Mau- 
soleum, designed  by  Hadfield, 
after  the  Temple  of  Vesta  at 
Rome,  erected  by  Gen.  Van 
Ness,  and  containing  the  re- 
mains of  the  General  and  his 
wife,  Marcia  Van  Ness,  nee 
Burns,  of  the  family  of  David 
Burns,  one  of  the  original  pro-  VAN  NESS  MAUSOLEUM, 

prietors  of  Washington.  It 

formerly  stood  on  H,  bet.  9th  and  10th  sts.  NW.,  Washington.  In  this  Cemetery 
are  the  Corcoran  Mausoleum,  in  white  marble,  Linthicum  Memorial  Chapel,  the 
graves  of  Chief  Justice  Chase,  Stcretary  Stanton,  Generals  Towson,  of  the  war  of 
1812,  Plummer  and  R.eno,  killed  in  i86i-'65,  Commodore  Morris,  distinguished  in 
the  Algerine  war,  and  Lorenzo  Dow,  the  religious  enthusiast,  removed  from  Hoi 
ifnead  Cemetery  in  1S74. 

Returning  to  the  same  line  of  street-cars,  and  alighting  on 
the  r.  side,  at  Market  st.,  at  the  head  of  the  street  is  the  George- 
town High-Service  Reservoir.  The  same  point  may  be  reached 
by  turning  to  the  r.  outside  the  cemetery  gate/and  follow- 
ing Road  st.  to  the  corner  of  High.  It  consists  of  a  domical 
reservoir,  of  brick,  120  ft.  in  diameter,  with  a  capacity  of 
1,000,000  galls.,  and  is  fed  from  the  Aqueduct  mains  at  the 
bridge  over  Rock  creek  by  2  pumps.  The  surface-water  is 
215  ft.  above  tide  and  70  ft.  above  the  Distributing  Reservoir. 
It  supplies  all  that  part  of  Georgetown  over  100  ft.  above  tide. 

Descending  the  st.  a  short  distance  towards  the  city,  and 
following  the  track  to  Fayette  st.,  on  the  opposite  corner  is 
the  Convent  of  the  Visitation,  founded  in  1799,  but  not  now 
open  to  visitors.  The  Academy,  under  the  care  of  the  Sisters 
of  the  Visitation,  was  founded  at  the  same  time,  and  occupies 
the  building  on  the  N".,  rebuilt  in  1873,  and  is  open  to  visitors 
on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays  after  12  noon.  The  entrance 
is  by  the  door  of  the  new  building,  where  visitors  will  be  re- 
ceived and  conducted  through  the  school.  There  are  two  de- 
partments :  primary  for  girls  from  6  to  12  years,  and  senior, 
for  young  ladies  of  all  school  ages.  There  is  a  fine  philosoph- 
ical apparatus,  chemical  laboratory,  and  library.  The  Acade- 
my grounds  comprise  40  a.  Attached  to  the  Convent  is  a  vault 
containing  the  remains  of  Archbishop  ISTeale,  second  Bishop 
of  Baltimore,  and  founder  of  the  institution,  the  daughter  of 
Madame  Yturbide,  and  the  daughter  of  Gen.  Winfield  Scott, 


214 


GEORGETOWN. 


a  religieuse  of  the  order.  It  is  the  oldest  in  the  country. 
At  the  W.  end  of  2d  st.,  Georgetown,  is  Georgetown  College, 
{open  every  day  except  Sunday,)  founded  in  if 89,  raised  to  a 
University  in  1815,  and  the  oldest  Roman  Catholic  College 
In  the  country.  It  is  under  the  care  of  the  Fathers  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus. 

The  original  building,  of  imported  brick,  is  still  standing  on  the  S.,  and  is  flanked 
by  two  of  more  modern  construction.  Boys  of  all  ages  are  received  and  carried 
through  an  entire  course  of  instruction.  The  library  contains  30,000  volumes, 
amongst  which  are  many  rare  and  curious  works.  There  are  100  volumes  printed 
between  1460  and  1520,  and  three  manuscripts  anterior  to  1400,  and  others  later.  In 
Che  Museum  is  a  valuable  collection  of  coins  and  medals  and  relics  of  Commodore 
Decatur.  The  Observatory  is  400  yds.  distant,  on  the  W.  (For  Medical  and  Law 
Departments  see  page  zoi.) 

There  are  also  fine  Custom  and  Market  Houses \  Post  Office^ 
and  many  beautiful  church  edifices.  On  2d  and  Potomac  sts. 
is  the  Public  School  79x97  ft.',  built  1874,  of  Potomac  Seneca 
stone,  brick,  and  iron ;  has  3  stories,  basement,  and  Mansard, 
was  designed  by  Adolf  Cluss,  and  cost  $70,000. 

The  building  contains  8  school-rooms,  a  room  for  the  Linthicum  Institute  and  the 
Peabody  Library,  and  a  Hall  capable  of  seating  900  persons.  The  Linthicum  Insti- 
tute was  founded  in  1872  by  Edward  Linthicum,  a  retired  hardware  merchant  of 
Georgetown,  deceased  1872,  who  by  will  left  $50,000  for  the  education  of  poor 
white  boys.  The  Peabody  Library  fund,  $22,000,  was  one  of  the  numerous  bene- 
factions of  the  American  philanthropist  and  millionaire  George  Peabody. 

At  the  foot  of  the  hill  is  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal. 

The  Potomac  Company,  chartered  by  Maryland  In  1784,  completed  a  canal  before 
l8ooaround  the  Little  and  Great  Falls  These  efforts  were  followed  by  the  eharter, 
by  Congress,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia,  of  the  present  enterprise. 
Work  was  commenced  in  1828.  The  object  was  the  connection  of  tide-water  on  the 
Potomac  with  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Ohio,  a  distance  of  360  m.  In  1841 
the  canal  was  opened  to  Cumberland,  182  m  ,  at  a  cost  of  $1 3,000,000,  of  which 
Maryland  subscribed  $5,000,000,  the  United  States $1,000,000,  Washington,  1,000,- 
000,  and  Georgetown,  Alexandria,  and  Virginia,  each,' $250,000.  Cumberland  re- 
mains the  terminus.  The  execution  of  the  enterprise  was  a  work  of  great  difficulty. 
There  are  75  locks  of  100  ft.  in  length,  15  ft.  in  width,  and  averaging  8  ft.  lift;  11 
aqueducts  crossing  the  Monocacy  river,  consisting  of  7  arches  of  54  ft  span  ;  also  190 
culverts  of  various  dimensions,  some  sufficiently  spacious  to  admit  of  the  passage  of 
wagons.  The  canal  is  fed  by  a  number  of  dams  across  the  Potomac,  varying  from 
500  to  800  ft.  in  length,  and  from  4  to  20  ft.  elevation.  The  breadth  of  the  canal  is 
60  ft.  for  the  first  60  m.  above  Georgetown,  and  for  the  remaining  distance  to  Cum- 
berland 50  ft.,  with  a  uniform  depth  of  6  ft.  The  entire  lift  is  about  600  ft  The 
aqueducts,  locks,  and  culverts  are  constructed  of  stone  laid  in  hydraulic  cement. 
The  tunnel  through  the  u  Pawpaw  Ridge 11  is  3,118  ft.  in  length  and  24  ft.  in  diam- 
eter, with  an  elevation  of  17  ft.  clear  of  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  canal  con- 
nects with  Rock  creek.  From  this  point  a  canal,  now  out  of  use  or  filled,  extended 
across  Washington  to  the  Anacostia.  The  canal  to  Cumberland  opens  the  im- 
mensely valuable  and  rich  coal  sections  of  western  Maryland  and  West  Virginia. 
The  unfinished  portion  of  the  canal  trom  Cumberland  to  Pittsburg  is  178  m. 

The  Alexandria  Canal,  incorporated  by  Congress  in  1830, 
crosses  the  Potomac  on  a  fine  Aqueduct  1,400  ft.  long  and  36 
ft.  above  high  water.  The  piers  are  embedded  17  ft.  in  the 
bottom  of  the  river,  and  are  capable  of  resisting  the  immense 
weight  of  ice  thrown  against  them  by  the  current  of  the  river 
in  winter. 

A  very  interesting  feature  of  the  city  are  the  coal  wharves, 


ARLINGTON  HOUSE  AND  NATIONAL  CEMETERY.  215 


where  the  coal  is  transhipped  into  schooners  for  transporta- 
tion to  the  ports  on  the  Atlantic  seaboard.  Georgetown  is 
one  of  the  largest  shad  and  herring  markets  in  the  United 
States.    The  manufacturing  interests  of  the  city  are  small. 

At  the  E.  end  of  Bridge  st.  is  Rock-creek  Bridge^  connect- 
ing the  two  cities. 

It  consists  of  a  zoo-ft.  span,  with  20  ft.  rise,  the  arch  formed  by  two  lateral 
courses  of  cast-iron  pipe,  4  ft.  internal  diameter,  and  iV£  in  in  thickness.  The 
arch  is  supported  on  massive  abutments  of  sandstone.  The,  pipes  convey  the  water 
of  the  Aqueduct  across  the  stream,  and  at  the  same  time  carry  a  street  road  and  horse 
railway.    Here  the  Pennsylvania  av.  street  cars  may  be  taken  back  to  Washington. 

Analostan,  or  Mason's  Island,  the  large  tract  in  the  Potomac 
river,  opposite  Georgetown,  contains  70  a.,  and  was  the  res- 
idence of  Gen.  John  Mason,  commissary  general  of  prisoners 
in  the  war  of  1812. 

The  Mansion  still  stands  at  the  S.  end,  50  ft.  above  the  river.  The  now  neg- 
lected grounds  were  also  beautifully  adorned.  A  causeway  on  the  Virginia  side  and 
ferry-boat  from  Georgetown  in  former  times  afforded  communication  with  the  main 
land.  James  M.  Mason,  Confederate  Commissioner  to  Europe,  was  born  on  the  island. 

Arlington  House  and  National  Cemetery.— (Open  to  visit- 
ors every  day.)  Arlington  House,  from  1802,  was  the  resi- 
dence of  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  the  adopted  son  of 
Gen.  Washington,  and  in  late  years  of  Gen.  Kobert  E.  Lee, 
till  1861.  It  is  on  the  Virginia  shore  of  the  Potomac,  on  the 
summit  of  a  hill,  200  ft.  above  the  river.  It  is  about  4  m.  from 
the  Capitol,  and  about  1  m.  from  Georgetown,  across  the 
Aqueduct  bridge .  The  view  of  Washi  ngton  is  without  a  rival . 
The  center  building,  60  ft.,  and  two  wings,  each  40  ft.,  gives 
a  frontage  of  140  ft.  In  front  is  a  portico  60  ft.  long  and 
25  ft.  deep.  The  pediment  rests  on  8  doric  columns  (6  in 
front)  5  ft.  in  diameter  and  26  ft.  high,  built  of  brick,  stuc- 
coed. The  design  was  from  drawings  of  the  temple  at  Paes- 
tum,  near  Naples.  On  the  S.  are  the  gardens  and  conserva- 
tory. In  the  rear  are  the  kitchens,  slave  quarters,  and  stables. 

In  the  mansion,  when  occupied  by  its  former  possessors,  were  valuable  pictures  and 
other  objects  of  historic  interest,  including  two  Vandykes,  one  by  Sir  Godfrey 
Kneller,  painted  1707,  representing  Col.  Parke,  a  fine  engraving  of  the  Death  of 
Chatham,  by  Copely,  and  of  Napier,  the  inventor  of  the  logarithms,  presented  by 
the  Earl  of  Buchan,  and  addressed  to  11  Marshal"  General  Washington,  announc- 
ing that  Louis  XVI  had  created  the  General  a  Marshal  of  France;  that  he  might  be 
of  sufficient  rank  to  command  the  veteran  Count  de  Rochambeau  ;  also  a  death  of 
Wolfe,  presented  to  Washington  by  West ;  the  Mount  Vernon  plate,  bearing  the 
arms  and  crest  of  Wa&hington.  The  bed  and  bedstead  upon  which  Washington,  as 
first  President,  slept  during  his  whole  presidency,  and  on  which  he  breathed  his 
last,  on  December  14,  1799;  china  having  the  names  of  the  votes  of  the  old  Confed- 
eration ;  a  service  also  bearing  the  representation  of  the  Order  of  the  Cincinnati, 
and  relics  from  the  home  of  Washington.    These  were  taken  away  by  the  family. 

Of  original  pictures  of  Washington  there  were  four  at  Ar- 
lington. The  earliest  was  by  Charles  Wilson  Peale,  painted 
in  1772,  represented  the  subject  as  a  provincial  colonel ;  the 
second  by  Houclon,  taken  after  the  Revolution ;  the  third, 
by  Madame  de  Brienne,  heads  of  Washington  and  La- 


216 


FORT  WHIPPLE. 


fayette,  elate  about  the  same  as  Houdon,  and  the  fourth,  a 
profile  likeness  in  crayon,  by  Sharpie  ss,  in  1796.  Of  other 
originals  is  the  equestrian  picture  by  Trumbull,  in  1790,  in 
the  City  Hall,  N.  Y.,  and  a  crayon  by  Mr.  Williams,  from 
sittings  in  1794,  lost.  There  are  three  originals  by  Stuart, 
the  head,  a  masterpiece,  and  bust,  from  which  many  copies 
have  been  made,  the  full  length  for  the  Marquis  of  Lans- 
downe,  and  one  for  Mrs.  Washington.  Ceracci,  the  sculptor, 
about  1794,  executed  two  busts  in  marble,  one  of  Washington 
and  the  other  of  Hamilton.  In  1795  both  the  elder  and  the 
younger  Peale  had  sittings. 

Arlington  House  in  its  halcyon  days  was  famed  for  its 
hospitality.  The  last  proprietor.  Gen.  Lee,  came  in  posses- 
sion through  his  wife,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Custis. 
Having  gone  over  to  the  rebellion  against  the  National  Govern- 
ment, and  become  its  military  chieftain,  the  estate,  upwards 
of  1,000  a.,  was  abandoned.  In  1863  it  wras  sold  under  the 
confiscation  act,  and  in  1864  was  taken  possession  of  by  the 
National  Government.  About  200  a.  were  set  apart  as  a 
National  Cemetery  for  the  interment  of  deceased  soldiers  of 
the  army.  The  Cemetery  was  formally  established  in  1867. 
In  the  rear  and  1.  of  the  mansion  is  an  amphitheatre,  capable 
of  accommodating  5,000  persons,  erected  in  1873,  and  designed 
for  use  in  the  annual  ceremonies  observed  on  decoration  day. 

The  grounds  were  laid  out  with  special  reference  to  the 
purposes  in  view.  The  bodies  of  nearly  16,000  soldiers,  from 
many  a  battle-field  in  Virginia  and  the  hospitals  at  the  capital, 
here  find  a  fitting  resting  place.  The  W.  Cemetery  is  devoted 
to  white,  and  the  N.  to  colored  troops.  A  short  distance  S. 
of  mansion  is  a  granite  sarcophagus,  surmounted  by  cannon 
and  balls,  in  1866  placed  over  the  grave  of  2,111  unknown 
soldiers  gathered  after  the  wTar  from  the  fields  of  Bull  Run 
and  the  route  to  the  Rappahannock.  The  carriage  entrance 
is  on  the  SE.,  through  a  freestone  gateway  of  composite 
order,  erected  in  1873.  On  the  frieze  are  suitable  inscrip- 
tions, and  over  the  arch  "Here  rest  15,585  of  the  315,558 
citizens  who  died  in  defence  of  our  country  from  1861  to 
1865."  On  the  1.  of  the  road  leading  from  the  main  gate- 
way towards  the  river  is  the  once-famous  Custis  spring. 
In  1850  it  was  visited  from  the  capital  by  thousands  of  resi- 
dents and  strangers.  The  forest  which  sheltered  its  limpid 
waters  was  felled  for  the  uses  of  the  army  during  the  re- 
bellion. 

Fort  Whipple,  reached  by  the  road  to  the  r.  soon  after 
crossing  the  Georgetown  Aqueduct,  lies  a  short  distance  NW. 
of  Arlington  House.    It  is  now  a  station  for  the  instruction 


AQUEDUCT  AND  GREAT  FALLS  OF  THE  POTOMAC.  217 


of  officers  and  men  in  army  signalling.  It  was  built  daring 
the  rebellion,  and  constituted  portion  of  the  defenses  cover- 
ing the  Aqueduct  and  Long  Bridge,  and  the  intermediate 
Heights  of  Arlington.  Then  it  mounted  6  12-lb.  Napoleon 
guns  and  4  12-lb.  howitzers. 

The  Aqueduct  and  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac— One  of 

the  most  interesting  excursions  out  of  Washington  is  the  drive 
by  the  Aqueduct  to  the  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac. 

Table  of  distances  from  the 
Navy -yard  to  theGreat  Falls  : 
From  the  Navy-yard  to  the 
E.  front  of  the  Capitol,  \% 
m;  to  Rock-Creek  Bridge,  4 
3-5  m  ;  College-Pond  Bridge, 
5  3-5  m;  Foundry  Branch,  6 
m  5  Pipe  Vault  Dist.  Res, 
6]/2  m  ;  Influent  Gate  House, 
7  in  ;  Waste  Weir,  7%  m  ; 
Gate  House  Rec.  Res.,  9  m  ; 
Wooden  Bridge  Rec.  Res.,  9 
1-5  m;  Brooks's  Road,  9% 
m  j  Cabin  John  Bridge,  12% 
m  ;  Mountain-Spring  Bridge. 

A  m  j  CulvertNo.  12,  14^ 
m  j  Road  at  RadclifFs,  I5^| 
m  j  Junetion  Road,  16  3-5 
m  ;  Bridge  No.  2,  17  1-5  m  ; 
Bridge  No.  1,  17^  m ;  Ov- 
erfall No.  1,  16  m ;  Waste 
Weir  No.  1,  18^  m;  Great 
Falls  Gate  House,  i8>£  m. 

Entering  George- 

THE  GREAT  FALLS  OF  THE  POTOMAC.  tOWll  from  PeiUlSyl- 

vania  av.  the  Aque- 
duct may  be  reached  by  Bridge  and  Fayette  sts.,  and  new 
road  to  the  Distributing  Reservoir,  a  distance  of  2  m. 

The  water  surface  of  the  reservoir  is  33  a;  capacity,  150,000,000  galls,  at  depth  ol 
11  ft.,  and  300,000,000  galls,  at  24  ft ;  elevation,  144  ft.  above  mean  tide  at  the  Navy- 
yard. 

From  this  point  the  water  is  carried  by  iron  mains  into  the  city.  [See  Water  Sup- 
ply, p.  46.]  The  Aqueduct  terminates  here,  the  influent  gate-house  standing  on 
the  NW.  corner.  A  7-ft.  Auxiliary  Conduit  connects  the  influent  and  affluent  gate- 
houses on  the  N.  which  may  be  used  independently  of  the  reservoir. 

The  Aqueduct  consists  of  a  cylindrical  conduit,  of  9  ft.  in- 
ternal diameter,  constructed  of  stone  and  brick,  laid  in  hy- 
draulic cement,  and  covered  by  an  embankment  or  tunneled 
through  the  hills,  and  is  carried  across  the  streams  by  means 
of  magnificent  bridges,  and  has  a  fall  of  9  J  in.  to  the  m.  The 
capacity  of  the  conduit,  full,  is  80  000,000  galls,  every  24  hrs. 
The  present  mains  carry  off  30,000,^00  galls. ;  the  consump- 
tion, however,  is  but  17,000,000. 

From  the  Distributing  Keservoir  is  a  beautiful  drive,  2  m. 
on  the  embankment  of  the  Aqueduct,  to  Receiving  Reservoir. 


218  AQUEDUCT  AND  GREAT  FALLS  OF  THE  POTOMAC. 


The  scenery  on  all  sides  is  romantic  in  the  extreme.  On  the  1.  is  the  Potomac 
and  the  Little  Falls.  The  Receiving  Reservoir,  a  natural  basin,  formed  by  an  em- 
bankment 65  ft.  high,  across  Powder- Mill  Creek,  retains  the  water  within  the  en- 
circling arms  of  the  surrounding  hills.  It  has  a  surface  area  of  52  a.,  a  greatest 
depth  of  53  ft.,  and  drains  40,000  a.  of  the  adjacent  country.  The  Sluice  Tower  is 
in  the  S.  end.  A  conduit  extends  around  the  S.  side,  connecting  the  Aqueduct, 
without  passing  through  the  Receiving  Reservoir.  The  capacity  Is  163,000,000  galls. 
The  NW.  boundary  of  the  District  crosses  the  Reservoir  just  beyond  the  Sluiee 
Tower.  The  height  of  water  in  the  Reservoir  is  controlled  by  a  channel  cut  in  the 
solid  rock.  The  Aqueduct  enters  through  a  tunnel  800  ft.  in  length,  and  pierced 
through  solid  rock. 

Kesuming  the  embankment,  Cabin- John  Bridge  is  reached, 
3  m.  distant. 

This  magnificent  struc- 
ture springs  the  chasm  of 
Cabin-John  Creek  at  a 
height  of  10 1  ft.  The 
bridge  is  erected  of  im- 
mense blocks  of  granite, 
with  Seneca  parapets  and 
coping,  and  leaps  the  ra- 
vine in  a  single  arch  of 
220  ft.  with  57%  ft.  rise 
from  the  springing  line. 

The  bridge  is  20  ft. 
wide,  and  its  extreme 
length  420  ft.  It  cost 
$237,000.  This  magnifi- 
cent work  of  art  is  un- 
equalled in  the  history  of 
bridge  building.  It  is  the 
largest  stone  arch  in  the 
world ;  the  second  being 
that  of  the  Grovesner 
Bridge,  with  a  span  of  200 
ft.  which  crosses  the  river 
Dee.  One  mile  above  is 
Mountain- Spring  Brook, 
crossed  by  a  beautiful  el- 
liptical arch  of  masonry, 
75  ft  span.  The  bridge 
CABIN-JOHN  bridge.  is  200  ft.  long,  and  cost 

$76,000.    From  this  point 

the  Aqueduct  is  conducted  by  means  of  2  tunnels. 

About  3V£  m.  from  the  Great  Falls  a  road  leads  around  the  hills.  Before  reaching 
the  falls  the  scenery  becomes  exceedingly  picturesque.  The  river  is  divided  into 
two  channels  by  Cupid's  Bower  and  Bear  Islands,  the  latter  the  upper.  At  the  falls 
the  river  is  again  formed  into  two  channels  by  Conn's  and  Great  Falls  islands,  the 
former  the  upper,  and  forms  the  Maryland  and  Virginia  channels.  Across  the  former 
is  a  dam  of  solid  masonry,  with  gate-house  and  gates.  This  dam,  should  there  be  oc- 
casion, will  be  extended  to  the  Virginia  side.  The  Government  owns  the  water- 
right,  having  5  a.  of  ground.  The  dam  is  faced  with  massive  guards  of  stone.  The 
total  water  supply  of  the  river  is  1,196,019,511  galls,  in  24  hrs.  At  this  point  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  is  carried  over  the  Aqueduct. 

At  the  Great  Falls  the  Potomac  breaks  through  the  mountain  in  a  channel  nar- 
rowing to  100  yds.  in  width,  and  bounded  on  the  Virginia  side  by  perpendicular 
rocks  70  ft.  high.  The  water  falls  over  a  series  of  cascades,  making  a  descent  of  80 
ft.  in  1%  m.,  the  greatest  single  pitch  being  40  ft.  At  a  distance  of  4  m.  it  widens, 
and  its  agitated  waters  quiet  into  an  unbroken  current.  About  10  m.  below,  at 
the  Little  Falls,  about  3  m.  above  Georgetown,  the  stream  makes  a  descent  of  37  ft. 
in  a  series  of  cascades.  Released  from  the  mountains,  after  passing  Georgetown,  the 
river  widens  into  the  lake-like  stream  which  we  have  seen  in  front  of  Washington. 


COLUMBIAN  UNIVERSITY. 


219 


There  is  a  fine  view  of  the  Falls  from  either  side,  the  ledges  and  rugged  boulders 
appearing  to  advantage.  Mingling  with  the  wild  aspect  of  nature  is  the  eedar,  oak, 
willow,  birch,  and  jessamine.  Wild  cherries  and  strawberries  in  season  are  found  in 
great  abundanee.  The  most  venomous  reptiles  abound.  The  scene  in  winter  is  en- 
chanting, great  masses  of  ice  piled  up  on  cither  side,  and  the  rocks  and  trees  frosted 
with  spray,  form  a  charming  surrounding  for  the  boiling  torrent  in  the  channel. 

HistOTy. — Surveys  for  the  supply  of  the  city  with  water  were  made  by  Major 
L'Enfant,  unaer  the  direction  of  Washington.  In  1S50  surveys  were  made  by  Col. 
Hughes  from  the  Great  Falls  and  Rock  creek.  The  first  ground  on  the  Washington 
Aqueduct  was  broken  by  President  Pierce  on  Nov.  8,  1853,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
assemblage  of  officials  and  civilians.  The  length  of  pipe  line  is  18  m. ;  number  ot 
culverts,  26  m. ;  tunnels,  12,  the  longest  1,458  ft.  Total,  6,653  ft.  Bridges  6,  viz, 
cut  stone,  4,  and  iron  truss,  2.  In  Georgetown  is  a  high-service  reservoir  120  ft. 
in  diameter.  The  work  was  commenced  by  Capt.  M.  C.  Meigs,  U.  S  Corps  of 
Engineers,  and  cost  3,500,000.  The  Aqueduct  is  the  third  in  rank  in  the  United 
States. 

Kalorama. — The  residence  of  Joel  Barlow,  1805-'ll,  author, 
poet,  politician,  and  diplomat,  who  died  in  Poland,  1812, 
stands  on  the  brow  of  a  beautiful  hill,  NW.  of  Washington 
and  near  the  Metropolitan  horse  railway,  Georgetown  branch, 
at  the  P  st.  bridge  over  Rock  Creek. 

About  5  min.  Walk  from  the  W.  end  of  the  P  street  bridge, 
is  a  small  brick  vanity  belonging  to  the  Kalorama  estate. 

In  the  vault  arc  the  remains  of  Judith  Baldwin,  wife  of  Joel  Barlow,  died  1818, 
Henry  Baldwin,  of  Pennsylvania,  an  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  died  1844;  Abraham  Baldwin,  a  Senator  from  Georgia,  died  1807 ; 
and  George  Bomford,  Colonel  of  U.  S.  Ordnance  Corps,  died  1848.  The  body  of 
Commodore  Decatur  was  also  placed  here,  Mar.  24,  1820,  two  days  after  his  fatal 
duel  In  1846  Decatur's  remains  were  removed  to  St.  Peter's  church  burial  ground, 
Philadelphia 

Meridian  Hill.— N.  of  the  city,  at  the  terminus  of  16th  st. 
W.,  so  named  as  being  on  the  meridian  of  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia, indicated  by  the  meridian  stone,  established  imme- 
diately W.  of  the  National  Washington  Monument.  It  was 
formerly  the  residence  of  Commodore  Porter.  A  village  is 
now  growing  upon  its  commanding  site. 

Columbian  University. — ( Open  to  visitors.)  Occupies  a  fine 
site  N.  of  the  city ;  5  min.  walk  from  the  N.  terminus  of  the 
14th  st.  horse  railway  ;  was  incorporated  as  a  college  in  1821, 
began  1822,  a  university  1873.  (For  Medical  and  Law  De- 
partments, see  page  201 . 

The  President  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  are  honorary  members  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  Overseers.  The  regular  course  of  American  universities, 
classical  and  scientific,  is  taught.  The  average  number  of  students,  including  the 
preparatory  school,  is  300,  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  The  grounds  com- 
prise 40  a.,  and,  with  the  college  edifice  and  other  buildings,  valued  at  $400,000. 
The  main  building  is  devoted  to  class-rooms,  chapel,  and  dormitories. 

Howard  University. — (Open  to  visitoi^s.)  Occupies  a  con- 
spicuous site  ]ST.  of  the  city  on  the  r.  of  the  7th  st.  road  and 
may  be  reached  by  horse  cars  from  the  N.  terminus  of  7th 
and  9th  sts.  horse  railways.  It  was  incorporated  in  1867  for 
the  education  of  youth,  without  reference  to  sex  or  color.  The 
pupils,  however,  are  almost  exclusively  colored. 


220 


HOWARD  UNIVERSITY. 


The  University  Building,  of  patent  brick,  is  3  stones  high,  covered  with  a  man- 
sard and  tower,  and  contains  philosophical,  lecture  and  recitation  rooms;  library,  mu- 
seum and  offices.  On  the  NE.  is  Miner  Hall,  ladies' dormitories  and  dining  rooms, 
named  after  Miss  Miner,  a  teacher  of  colored  children  in  the  days  of  slavery,  in  the 
District.  This  lady  left  $5,000  invested  in  real  estate  in  Washington  ;  since  sold 
for  $40,000,  the  interest  of  which  is  at  present  devoted  to  the  normal  department  of 
the  University.  To  the  N.  of  the  latter  is  the  Normal  Building,  and  N.  of  the  main 
building  is  Clarke  Hall,  named  after  David  Clarke,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  a  gentleman 
of  large  benevolence  and  a  liberal  friend  to  the  University.  These  halls  accommo- 
date 300  students.  There  are  also  residences  for  the  professors.  The  grounds  com- 
prise 35  a.  Total  value  of  property,  £6oo,cco.  A  short  distance  S.  is  the  Medical 
Department  and  Freedmen  s  Hospital,  rented  and  managed  under  the  Interior  De- 
partment. 


WAYLAND  SEMINARY. 


221 


Capitol  Spring.— To  the  NE.  of  the  Howard  University  is 
Smith's  Spring,  the  waters  of  which  were  conducted  in  pipes 
to  the  Capitof  in  1830.    (See  Capitol  Grounds.) 

Wayland  Seminary. -{Open  to  visitors.)  Occupies  a  com- 
manding position  N.  of  the  city  on  Meridian  Hill,  about  10  min  . 
walk  N.  W.  from  the  N.  terminus  of  the  14th  st.  horse  rail- 

WThe  Institution  was  founded  in  1865  by  the  Baptist  church  for  .the =  education  of 
colored  preachers  and  teachers.    The  building  which  is  of  brick  ^  "°"c» 
with  basement,  Mansard  and  lofty  tower,  was  erected  in  I b7 £■ 4,  cos = 
paid  out  of  voluntary  contributions,  and  will  accommodate  zoo  students.  The 


222 


SOLDIER*'  HOME. 


work  was  done  by  colored  labor.  The  Seminary  is  one  of  the  seven  schools  in  the 
South,  established  and  fostered  by  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society. 
It  is  not  yet  in  full  operation  in  the  new  building. 


WATLAXD  SEMINARY. 


Soldiers'  Home,  (grounds  open  everyday,  except  Sunday, )  lies 
about  3  m.  X.  of  the  Capitol.  It  is  one  of  the  most  attractive 
drives  around  the  city.  It  may  be  reached  by  pedestrians 
from  the  "toll-gate"  on  the  7th-st.  road,  which  point  is  ac- 
cessible by  the  7th-st.  and  Silver  Spring  horse  cars;  the  latter 
being  a  continuation  of  the  former,  though  a  separate  line. 

The  original  site  consisted  of  about  200  a.,  since  ex- 
tended to  500  a.  by  purchases,  including  Harewood,  the  seat 
of  W.  W.  Corcoran.  The  grounds  are  laid  out  in  meadows, 
lakes,  and  7  m.  of  beautiful  drives.  The  main  building,  the 
dormitory,  is  of  marble,  Norman  in  design,  and  measures 
200  ft.  front.  In  the  rear  is  a  wing  of  60  ft.,  used  for  a  mess 


GRAVE  OF  MAJOR  PETER  CHARLES  L'ENFANT.  223 


room.  On  the  lawn  are  a  flag-staff*  and  cannon.  On  the 
E.  of  the  main  building  is  an  additional  dormitory,  the  sta- 
bles, conservatory,  and  fruit  garden.  On  the  W.  is  the  Riggs 

homestead,  now  the 
hospital,  and  near  by 
the  quarters  of  the 
governor  and  officers 
of  the  institution.  S. 
of  this  is  the  sur- 
geon's residence. 
SE  .of  the  main  build- 
ing is  a  beautiful  Sen- 
eca stone  chapel,  fin- 
ished in  1871,  and 
gardener's  lodge.  In 
the  distance  S.  is  the 
new  hospital,  a  com- 
modious brick  struc- 
ture, and  the  build- 
ings close  by  are  used 
by  the  farmer.  The 
Home  was  first  open- 
ed in  1851,  and  has 
accommodations  for  400  inmates.  The  soldiers  keep  the 
roads  in  order  and  perform  police  duty.  The  Home  was  the 
favorite  summer  residence  of  Presidents  Pierce,  Buchanan, 
and  Lincoln. 

On  the  brow  of  the  hill,  \  m.W.  of  S.  of  the  main  building, 
raised  on  a  granite  pedestal,  and  facing  the  Capital,  stands 
a  statue  of  General  Winfield  Scott,  at  the  time  of  his  conquest 
of  Mexico,  by  Launt  Thompson,  1873,  bronze,  10  ft.  high, 
cast  by  R.  Woods  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Penna.  Cost  $18,000. 
Erected  in  1874  by  the  Home.  Through  General  Scott  the 
Home  was  founded.  From  the  site  may  be  had  an  excellent 
view.  § 

In  1851  Congress  appropriated  out  of  the  Treasury  $118,791,  the  balance  of  $300,- 
000  pillage  money  levied  on  the  city  of  Mexico  by  General  VVinfield  Scott,  to  go  to 
the  founding  of  a  Military  Asylum  or  Soldiers1  Home.  This  fund  was  increased  by 
forfeitures,  stoppages,  and  fines  against  soldiers,  and  a  tax  of  25  now  12.  cts.  a  month 
on  each  private  soldier  of  the  regular  army.  The  Home  was  for  the  benefit  of  the 
regulars  and  volunteers  who  served  in  Mexico,  and  now  is  for  the  privates  of  the 
regular  army,  they  alone  contributing  for  its  support.  Pensioners  surrender  their 
pensions  while  at  the  Home. 

Grave  of  Major  Peter  Charles  L'Enfant,  the  designer  of  the 
plan  of  Washington,  at  Green  Hill,  the  country  seat  of 
George  W,  Riggs,  on  the  early  manor  of  Chillam  Castle, 
now  Prince  George's  county,  Maryland,  is  about  7  m.  NE. 
of  Washington.  The  grave  is  in  the  garden,  the  burial  ground 
of  the  Digges  family,  the  previous  proprietors.  The  latter 
have  been  removed.    The  grave  is  without  a  marked  stone. 


soldiers'  home,  main  building. 


224 


ROCK-CREEK  CHURCH. 


Major  L'Enfant  was  born  in  France  about  1755.  He  was  a 
subordinate  officer  in  the  French  service.  In  1778  he  was 
made  a  captain  of  engineers  in  the  Continental  army.  His 
gallantry  and  ability,  displayed  especially  at  Savannah,  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  Washington.  In  1783  he  was  pro- 
moted to  major.  In  March,  1791,  he  was  ordered  to  George- 
town to  join  Mr.EUieott,  the  chief  surveyor,  with  instructions 
uto  draw  the  site  of  the  federal  town  and  buildings."  Not 
sharing  in  the  practical  views  of  the  commissioners,  who 
desired  copies  of  his  plan  for  circulation,  as  an  inducement 
to  purchasers  of  lots,  a  controversy  sprung  up,  which  was 
aggravated  by  some  high-handed  measures,  chiefly  an  attempt 
to  demolish  the  residence  of  Mr.  Carroll,  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners, which  interfered  with  the  execution  of  his  plan  on 
the  ground.  These  resulted  in  his  dismissal,  after  a  brief 
service  of  one  year.  In  170-1  he  was  employed  on  Fort  Mif- 
flin, below  Philadelphia.  It  is  said  he  was  offered,  in  1812, 
a  professorship  of  engineers  at  West  Point.  The  last  days 
of  his  life  were  spent  around  Washington.  He  found  a  home 
on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Digges,  and  died  in  the  summer  of  1825, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  70  years.  His  remains  still  moulder 
beneath  the  sod  where  the  kind  hand  of  charity  laid  them. 

Kock-Oreek  Church  and  Cemetery. — {Church  services,  Epis- 
copal, every  Sabbath  at\l  a.  w?.,  and  Cemetery  open  every  clay, 
except  Sunday.)  —  The  cemetery  lies  contiguous  to  the  Sol- 
diers' Home  on  the  X.,  and  is  easy  of  access  from  the  horse 
cars  on  the  7th-st.  road.  It  comprises  about  one-half  of  the 
glebe,  100  a.,  the  gift  of  John  Bradford,  about  1719.  The 
church,  which  lies  on  the  W.,  properly  St.  Paul's  Episcopal 
Church,  Rock-creek  Parish,  was  erected  in  1710,  rebuilt  in 
1775,  and  remodeled  in  1S0S.  The  bricks  were  imported  from 
England.  The  main  walls  are  the  same  as  erected  in  1719. 
The  bible  used  is  an  Oxford  edition  of  1727.  Immediately 
around  the  church  are  a  number  of  old  graves,  marked  by 
rude  stones,  and  over  them  stands  a  venerable  oak,  the  out- 
spreading branches  of  which  cover  an  area  of  126  ft.  in  diam- 
eter. The  oldest  monuments  are  E.  of  the  church,  of  the 
Gramphin  family,  1775.  In  this  cemetery  is  the  grave  of  Pe- 
ter Force,  with  a  fine  monument. 

National  Military  Cemetery,  (open  from  sunrise  to  sunset,} 
lies  N.  of  and  adjoins  the  Soldiers'  Home,  and  E.  of  Rock- 
Creek  Cemetery.  It  was  established  in  1861,  and  contains 
5,424  interments  :  known  5145,  unknown  279,  and  Confeder- 
ates 271.  There  are  a  fine  keeper's  lodge  and  conservatory. 
Adjoining,  on  the  N.,  is  the  Cemetery  of  the  Soldiers'  Home. 


BLADEN  SB  UHG. 


225 


Glenwood  Cemetery,  (open  every  day  except  Sunday,)  1J 
m.  N.  of  the  Capitol,  is  situated  at  the  head  of  Lincoln  av., 
reached  from  the  Columbia  st. -railway  at  N.  Capitol  St.,  dis- 
tance 1  m.  It  was  incorporated  in  1854,  and  contains  90  a. 
The  grounds  are  beautifully  laid  out  in  drives  and  walks. 
The  public  vault  is  a  fine  structure.  Amos  Kendall, 
Postmaster  General  1835-,40  is  buried  here.  Outside  the 
gateway  are  Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  17  a.,  incorporated  in 
1860,  St.  Mary's  (Roman  Catholic)  Burying  Ground,  3  a. 

Bladensburg,  a  post-village  of  Prince  George's  co.,  Md., 
lies  6  m.  N.  E.  of  Washington,  on  the  Baltimore  railroad 
and  turnpike.  It  was  founded  about  1750,  and  named 
after  Martin  Blanden,one  of  the  Lords'  Commissioners  of 
Trade  and  Plantations.  Before  the  Revolution  it  was  a 
place  of  some  commercial  and  agricultural  importance. 
In  those  days  the  Anacostia,  upon  which  it  stands,  ad- 
mitted of  navigation  to  the  town.  Over  the  stream  was 
the  bridge,  and  W.  the  field  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  Au- 
gust 24,  1814,  which  opened  Washington  to  the  enemy, 
and  gave  the  name  of  Bladensburg  a  place  in  history.  On 
the  open  ground  was  the  position  bravely  defended  by 
Commodore  Barney  and  his  gallant  soldiers  and  marines. 

About  i  m.  S.  E.  of  the  village,  on  the  turnpike,  was  the  notorious  u  duelling 
gronnd."  The  District  line  runs  through  the  valley,  thus  enabling  parties 
from  the  District  and  Virginia  to  pass  into  Maryland.  The  most  painful  of 
all  duels  fought  here  was  that  between  Commodores  Decatur,  the  hero  of  the 
Algerine  war,  and  Barron,  in  1820,  in  which  the  former  was  mortally  wounded. 
The  spot  was  the  scene  of  many  other  duels,  but  not  of  late  years.  The  duel 
between  Henry  Clay  and  John  Randolph  of  Roanoke,  in  1826,  took  place  on 
the  Virginia  shore  of  the  Potomac  river,  near  Washington. 

Near  Bladensburg,  a  short  distance  from  the  turnpike,  stood  the  family  man- 
sion of  George  Calvert,  the  lineal  descendant  of  the  Baron  of  Baltimore. 

Columbia  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  and 
National  Deaf-Mute  College,  (open  every  day  except  Sun- 
day,) entrance  at  N.  end  of  7th  st.  E..  also  W.  end  M  st. 
N. ;  10  minutes  from  Columbia  horse  R.  K.  The  grounds, 
known  as  "  Kendall  Green,"  were  previously  the  home 
of  Amos  Kendall,  Postmaster  General  of  the  United  States 
1835-'40.  The  first  portion  occupied  was  but  a  few  acres 
and  a  small  building,  presented  by  Mr.  Kendall.  Sub- 
sequently, 25  acres  were  purchased,  and  in  1872  the  entire 
estate  of  100  acres.  The  grounds  and  buildings  were 
vested  in  the  United  States  as  trustee. 

The  institution,  incorporated  in  1857,  nas  since  been  sustained  by  Congress 
as  the  institution  where  Government  beneficiaries,  viz.,  deaf-mute  children  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  of  the  army  and  navy,  should  receive  free  edu- 
cation. A  collegiate  department  was  organized  in  1864  by  Congress,  and  is 
named  the  National  Deaf-Mute  College.    Both  are  open  to  both  sexes. 


226 


DEAF  AND  DUMB  ASYLUM. 


THE  COLUMBIA  INSTITUTION   FOR  THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB. 

The  main  central  building,  dedicated  in  1871,  was  the  gift 
of  the  Government.  It  is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  pointed 
Gothic  architecture  of  the  14th  century.  It  is  216  by  76  ft., 
and  is  faced  on  all  sides  with  Connecticut  brown-stone,  in- 
terspersed with  courses  of  white  Ohio  sandstone,  and  cov- 
ered with  roofs  of  red  and  blue  slate,  laid  in  patterns  and 
courses. 

The  main  entrance  is  under  a  recessed  porch,  formed  by 
three  pointed  arches  of  alternate  brown  and  white  sandstone 
blocks,  supported  by  double  sets  of  dwarf  columns  of  highly 
polished  Scotch  granite,  with  brown-stone  bases  and  carved 
white  sandstone  capitals.  This  porch  is  paved  with  white 
and  black  marble  tiles,  and  surmounted  by  an  angular  pedi- 
ment containing  a  carved  half-relief  figure  of  the  Ameri- 
can eagle,  with  the  stars  and  stripes  on  the  shield  over  its 
breast. 

From  this  porch  leads  a  small  vestibule  at  either  end  into 
the  main  hall,  or  chapel,  a  room  56  ft.  square  and  38  ft.  high, 
with  a  paneled  ceiling  of  light  and  dark  colored  wood,  with 
massive  brackets,  cornice,  and  panel  mouldings,  the  walls  be- 
ing frescoed  in  delicate  tints  in  plain  panels.  The  walls,  to 
about  8  ft.  from  the  floor,  are  protected  by  a  paneled  wain- 
scot, painted  in  strong  party  colors,  with  the  pulpit,  platform, 
and  front,  and  folding-doors  to  match.  The  room  is  lighted 
by  ten  large  stained-glass  windows. 

Adjoining  on  the  E.,  and  separated  from  the  chapel  by 
eight  sliding  doors  15  ft.  high  and  27  ft.  wide,  is  the  lecture 
room.    Over  the  sliding  doors  is  a  solid  white  sandstone  arch 


MOUNT  OLIVET  CEMETERY. 


227 


of  27  ft.  span,  springing  from  light  stone  columns  with  carved 
capitals.  The  lectuTe  room  is  about  30  by  40  ft.  in  size,  with 
a  raised  floor. 

The  remainder  of  the  E.  wing  on  this  floor  is  occupied  by 
a  large  dining-hall,  or  refectory,  for  the  pupils  of  the  primary 
department,  with  its  corridors  and  stairs ;  and  with  kitchens, 
bakery,  and  store-rooms  in  the  basement  below,  and  large 
dormitories  in  the  attic  above. 

The  W.  wing  contains  a  large  dining-hall  for  the  students 
of  the  college,  with  its  pantries  and  store-rooms.  In  the  hall 
of  this  wing  a  stairway  affords  access  to  the  tower.  In  the 
basement  under  this  wing  is  an  extensive  laundry,  steam- 
drying  rooms,  and  store-rooms,  while  the  basement  under 
the  chapel  contains  the  fuel  and  boiler  rooms. 

In  the  chapel  is  a  line  plaster  cast  of  Abbe  de  l'Epee,  taken 
from  his  tomb  in  the  old  church  of  Saint  Roch,  Paris ;  also 
one  of  Abbe  Sicard.  The  former,  about  the  year  1760,  de- 
veloped and  applied  the  system  of  communication  for  deaf 
mutes  by  means  of  natural  signs.  Abbe  Sicard  subsequently 
perfected  the  system.  There  is  also  a  portrait  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  H.  Gallaudet,  formerly  principal  of  the  American 
Asylum  at  Hartford,  Connecticut.  That  gentleman  was  sent 
abroad  to  acquire  the  system  of  instruction  by  natural  signs. 
He  chose  the  French  system,  now  in  use  by  the  Institution 
and  College,  and  also  generally  throughout  the  United  States. 
The  E.  building  is  occupied  by  the  primary  department, 
and  contains  several  school  rooms,  chapel,  library,  reception 
parlor,  private  rooms  of  instructors,  and  dormitory  for  boys, 
and  another  in  a  remote  part  of  the  building  for  girls.  The 
W.  building  is  used  by  the  College.  In  the  rear  and  W.  of 
the  main  central  building  is  the  finished  wing  of  a  dormitory 
for  College  students.    The  value  of  the  property  is  $350,000. 

Mount  Olivet  Cemetery  (open  every  day)  lies  on  the  1.  of 
the  Columbia  turnpike,  J  m.  ]ST.  of  the  E.  terminus  of  the 
Columbia  horse  railway.  It  comprises  70  a.  It  was  incor- 
porated in  1862,  in  the  names  of  the  parish  priests  of  the 
four  Roman  Catholic  churches  of  Washington.  The  grounds 
are  well  laid  out,  and  shaded  with  oak  and  evergreens. 
Father  Matthews,  one  of  the  earliest  priests  who  arrived  in 
the  city  after  its  occupation  by  the  Government,  is  buried 
here,  also  Lieut.  Col.  Garesche,  A.  A.  G.  to  General  Rose- 
cranz,  killed  at  Murfreesboro,  1862 ;  Mrs.  Surratt,  executed 
for  complicity  in  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln ;  and 
Wirz,  the  keeper  of  the  Andersonville  prison  pen  for  na- 
tional soldiers  during  the  rebellion,  lSei-^,  and  executed 
in  Washington  at  its  close.   The  entrance  to  the  cemetery 


228        GOVERNMENT  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE. 


is  at  the  SE.  corner  on  the  Columbia  turnpike,  where  there 
is  a  neat  superintendent's  residence. 

Graceland  Cemetery  (open  from  sunrise  to  sunset)  is  situated 
immediately  outside  the  E.  limits  of  the  city,  at  the  terminus 
of  the  Columbia  horse  railway.  The  cemetery  was  opened 
in  1872,  and  comprises  about  40  a. 

Eeform  School  of  the  District  of  Columbia  occupies  a  com- 
manding site  on  the  S.  side  of  the  Washington  and  Baltimore 
turnpike,  2  m.  from  the  E.  terminus  of  the  Columbia  horse 
railway.  The  school,  which  is  for  boys  only,  was  established 
by  Congress  in  1860,  and  is  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Department  of  Justice.  It  was  first  located  on  the  Govern- 
ment farm,  on  the  Aqueduct  road,  4  m.  above  Georgetown, 
but  owing  to  the  unheal thiness  of  that  section  was,  in  1871, 
removed  to  its  present  situation.  The  farm  comprises  150  a. 
The  buildings  stand  on  Lincoln's  Hill,  so-called  from  the 
fort  of  that  name  in  the  defenses  of  Washington  during  the 
rebellion,  and  which  crowned  the  hill.  They  are  230  ft. 
above  the  Anacostia,  which  runs  in  the  rear,  and  command 
a  view  of  four  railroads,  portions  of  Washington,  the  National 
Insane  Asylum,  the  Soldiers'  Home,  Bladensburg,  the  Mary- 
land State  Agricultural  School,  and  a  vast  sweep  of  country 
into  Maryland  and  Virginia. 

The  main  building  is  occupied  by  the  superintendent, 
boys'  dining  room,  chapel,  library,  and  reflecting  room.  The 
reception  room  for  strangers  is  on  the  1.  of  the  main  entrance. 
On  either  side  of  the  main  building  are  two  detached  wings, 
occupied  by  the  assistants,  and  as  school  and  dormitories. 
The  boys  divide  their  time  in  the  school  and  shops.  The 
boys  are  kept  till  reformed  or  their  majority.  The  buildings 
and  grounds  will  be  greatly  improved. 

Zoological  Society  was  incorporated  in  1870,  with  authority 
to  import  animals  free  of  duty,  and  granting  the  free  use  of 
water  from  the  Aqueduct.  The  site  secured  for  the  purpose 
comprises  20  a.,  lies  about  \  m.  SE.  of  the  E.  terminus  of 
the  Columbia  horse  railway,  and  extends  to  the  Anacostia. 
On  the  ground  is  Gibson's  spring,  which  will  be  converted 
into  fish  ponds.  During  the  rebellion,  1861-'65,  a  pipe  from 
this  spring  supplied  the  cavalry  and  infantry  camps  estab- 
lished in  the  adjacent  valley  and  on  the  neighboring  hills. 

Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  (visiting  days,  Wednes- 
days, from  2  to  6  p.  m.)    This  institution,  on  the  S.  bank  of 


ALEXANDRIA. 


229 


the  Anacostia,  is  accessible  from  the  Navy-yard  terminus  of 
the  Pennsylvania  av.  street  car.?,  across  the  bridge  at  the  fuot 
of  11th  st.  E.,  and  by  the  high  road  ascending  the  hill  towards 
the  r.,  which  passes  the  gate.  The  village  at  the  S.  end  of 
the  bridge  is  known  as  Uniontown.  The  distance  from  the 
horse  cars  to  the  Asylum  is  about  2  m.  The  institution  is 
for  the  use  of  the  army  and  navy  and  District  of  Columbia, 
and  embraces  indigent  and  independent  patients.  The  gen- 
eral supervision  is  under  the  Secretaiy  of  the  Interior,  and 
it  is  supported  by  the  National  Government.  The  home 
tract,  185  a.,  is  inclosed  by  a  wall  9  ft.  high.  Subsequent 
additions,  however,  have  increased  the  estate  to  419  a.,  which 
is  cultivated  for  the  benefit  of  the  institution,  and  which  fur- 
nishes occupation  for  many  of  the  patients.  The  commodious 
structure  is  of  brick,  occupies  the  crest  of  the  range  of  hills 
overlooking  the  mouth  of  the  Anacostia,  and  consists  of  a 
centre,  with  connecting  ranges  and  receding  wings,  with 
buttresses,  iron  window  hoods,  and  an  embattled  parapet. 
The  centre  is  four  stories,  and  the  wings  three  and  four 
stories.  The  building  is  750  ft.  long.  There  are  accommo- 
dations for  550  patients,  though  the  number  generally  ex- 
ceeds 600.  The  W.  wing  is  devoted  to  males  and  the  E.  to 
females.  The  centre  contains  the  residence  of  the  superin- 
tendent and  staff  officers,  dispensary,  and  chapel.  There 
are  six  billiard  tables  for  patients.  In  the  basement  are  the 
kitchen,  store-rooms,  &c.  There  are  two  buildings  in  the 
rear  for  colored  patients;  also  gas  works,  machine  shops, 
barn,  and  stables.  The  institution  was  opened  in  1855. 
Trior  to  t  hat  time  the  insane  under  the  care  of  the  Govern- 
ment were  sent  to  Baltimore. 

Alexandria. — This  city,  originally  called  Bellhaven,  stands 
in  Virginia,  on  the  r.  bank  of  ' the  Potomac  river,  at  the  con- 
fluence of  that  stream  and  Hunting  Creek,  7  m.  S.  of  Wash- 
ington. The  boats  of  the  Washington  and  Alexandria  ferry, 
from  the  foot  of  7th  street  W.,  reached  by  horse  cars,  run 
every  hour  from  6  a.  m.  to  7  p.  m.,  on  Sunday  from  9  a.  m. 
Single  fare  15  cts..  round  trip  25  cts.  The  steam  cars  leave 
at  the  same  intervals  from  6  a.  m.  to  8  p.  m.  from  the  depot 
on  6th  st.,  S.  of  Pennsylvania  av.  The  city  is  picturesquely 
situated  on  the  side  of  a  range  of  low  hills,  and  is  surrounded 
by  a  fertile  and  well-cultivated  country.  The  town  was 
founded  in  1748.  In  1755  five  colonial  governors  met  here  in 
connection  with  Braddock's  expedition,  which  started  here. 
In  the  early  colonial  days  it  was  the  rival  of  Baltimore  in 
commerce,  but  superior  advantages  and  other  facilities  at- 
tractive of  trade  soon  advanced  the  metropolis  of  Maryland 


230 


ALEXANDRIA. 


beyond  the  successful  rivalry  of  the  quaint  Virginia  town  on 
the  Potomac. 

During  the  Revolution  it  was  a  point  of  great  strategic  im- 
portance. The  British  General  Gage,  in  1776,  from  Pitts- 
burg, in  co-operation  with  Earl  Dunmore's  fleet  from  the 
sea,  planned  an  attack  on  the  town,  designing,  by  holding 
this  position,  to  cut  oft*  communication  between  the  N.  and 
S.  armies.  The  expedition,  however,  was  not  carried  out. 
Washington  always  took  a  great  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
the  place.  Among  other  evidences  of  this  affection  he  be- 
queathed £1,000  for  the  benefit  of  a  free  school  here. 

During  the  invasion  of  the  British,  on  Aug.  28,  1814,  after 
Fort  Warburton,  (Washington,)  below,  had  been  blown  up 
and  abandoned  without  firing  a  gun,  the  town  surrendered  to 
the  British  squadron.  Five  days  after  the  enemy's  vessels 
left  with  16,000  bbls.  of  flour,  1,000  hhcls.  of  tobacco,  and 
other  property,  including  3  ships  and  some  river  craft. 

The  city  and  county  were  included  in  the  original  survey 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  but  in  1846,  with  all  that  part 
on  the  W.  side  of  the  Potomac,  was  retroceded  to  Virginia. 

About  1  m.  SE.  of  the  city,  on  the  point  of  a  small  pen- 
insula formed  by  the  junction  of  Hunting  creek  and  the 
Potomac,  is  the  initial  point  of  the  original  boundaries  of  the 
District  of  Columbia. 

In  the  court  of  the  Mansion  House,  on  Fairfax  St.,  is  an  old 
structure  known  as  Washington'' s  Headquarters,  having  been 
occupied,  it  is  said,  by  the  General  when  in  Alexandria.  At 
the  intersection  of  Washington  and  Cameron  sts.  is  Christ 
Episcopal  Church,  commenced  in  1765  and  finished  in  1773, 
built  of  bricks  imported  from  England.  The  interior  has 
been  renovated  of  late  years;  though  some  of  the  wood- work 
about  the  chancel  is  old.  The  principal  interest  is  associated 
with  the  fact  that  Washington  was  a  member  of  the  vestry  of 
this  church.  His  pew  was "No.  59,  on  the  1.  of  the  1.  aisle.  A 
little  back  is  pew  No.  46,  used  by  Kobert  E.  Lee,  General  of 
the  Confederate  forces,  who  came  here  from  Arlington  to 
worship.  Marble  tablets  on  the  1.  and  r.  of  the  chancel  have 
been  placed  in  the  walls  to  their  memory.  In  the  church- 
3Tard  the  oldest  tombstone  is  1771.  The  city  hall,  market- 
house,  and  masonic  hall  occupy  a  fine  building.  Near  the 
city  is  a  National  Cemetery,  which  contains  the  remains  of 
3,635  soldiers  of  the  rebellion. 

A  branch  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  connects  the 
city  with  Georgetown.  The  river  in  front  is  1  m.  wide.  The 
shipping  of  the  place  amounts  to  about  182  vessels;  sail, 
steam,  and  unrigged,  8,210  tons.  The  principal  exports  are 
tobacco,  corn,  and  coal.    It  also  has  railroad  communication 


MOUNT  VERNON. 


231 


with  the  N.  and  S.  A  new  line,  to  connect  with  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Railroad  at  Bladensburg,  is  now  being  built, 
and  will  cross  the  Potomac  at  this  point.  The  population  is 
13,570. 

Mount  Vernon,  steamer  daily,  except  Sunday,  at  10  a,  m., 
from  the  foot  of  7th  st.  W.,  reached 
by  horse-cars,  fare  $1.50  round  trip, 
to  include  admission  to  the  grounds. 
Distance,  15  m.  Return  4  p.  m. 

Leaving  the  wharf,  the  boat  runs 
close  to  the  shore,  and  along  the 
Arsenal  grounds,  at  the  foot  of 
which  the  Anacostia  enters  the  Po- 
tomac. The  village  on  the  r.  is 
Uniontown,  and  on  the  hill  is  the 
National  Insane  Asylum.  On  the 
1.  is  the  Navy  Yard.  On  the  S. 
point  of  the  river  is  Giesboro'.  Dur- 
ing the  rebellion  a  large  number  of 
cavalry  horses  were  kept  here  for 
the  supply  of  the  army.  During  a 
stampede  on  one  occasion  over  1000 
were  drowned  in  the  river.  The 
steamer  now  directs  her  course  to- 
wards Alexandria,  6  m.  below.  Af- 
ter leaving  Alexandria,  the  steamer 
passes  Jones's  point  on  the  r.  A 
lighthouse  stands  on  the  point  at 
the  location  of  the  initial  stone  of  the 
boundaries  of  the  District,  planted 
in  1791.  The  lines  extend  NE.  and  NW.  Hunting  creek 
here  enters  the  Potomac.  The  steamer  next  touches  at 
Fort  Foote,  an  earthwork  on  the  Maryland  shore.  Broad 
creek  enters  below.  The  next  landing  is  at  Fort  Washington, 
on  the  same  side.  This  is  an  old  work,  mounting  guiis  in 
casemate  and  barbette.  On  the  high  ground  opposite  the 
first  view  of  the  home  of  Washington  may  be  had.  The 
road  from  the  wharf  leads  to  the  vault  within  which  is  the 
marble  sarcophagus  containing  the  remains  of  General  George 
Washington.  By  the  side  is  another  with  the  simple  inscrip- 
tion, Martha,  the  Consort  of  Washington,  who  died  May  21, 
1801,  aged  71  years.  The  obelisk  on  the  r.  approaching  is  to 
Bushrod  Washington,  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States,  a  nephew  of  General  Washington,  and 
to  whom  Mount  Vernon  was  bequeathed,  died  1829.  That 
on  the  1.  is  to  John  Augustine  Washington,  to  whom  Mount 


THE  MANSION. 


232 


MOUNT  VERNON. 


Vernon  was  bequeathed  by  Judge  Bushrod  Washington,  died 
1832.  The  path  to  the  r.  leads  towards  the  mansion.  On 
the  1.  is  the  vault  in  which  the  remains  of  Washington  were 
first  placed. 

The  Mansion  fronts  NW.,  the  rear  looking  toward  the  river. 
It  is  of  wood,  cut  in  imitation  of  stone,  and  96  ft.  in  length, 
surmounted  by  a  cupola.  The  centre  was  built  by  Lawrence 
Washington,  brother  to  the  General ;  the  wings  were  added 
by  the  General.  It  is  named  after  Admiral  Vernon,  in  whose 
expedition  Lawrence  Washington  served.  The  house  and 
grounds,  6  a.,  as  far  as  practicable,  are  as  left  by  Washing- 
ton. 

The  Mount  Vernon  Ladies''  Association  of  the  Union,  incor- 
porated in  1856,  purchased  the  mansion  and  contiguous 
grounds.  In  the  hall  is  the  key  to 
the  Bastile,  presented  to  Washing- 
ton by  Lafayette  after  the  destruc- 
tion of  that  French  prison,  1789. 
In  the  E.  parlor  are  interesting 
relics  of  Washington  —  a  dress, 
sword,  spy-glass,  "water  buckets, 
tripod.  In  the  dining  hall  are 
portraits  of  Washington  in  1786,  a 
copy  from  Trumbull,  and  a  copy 
from  Stuart,  1795.  The  mantel 
was  carved  in  Italy  and  presented. 
In  this  room  is  the  great  painting 
of  Washington  before  Yorktown,  by 
Rembrandt  Peale.  He  is  repre- 
sented as  accompanied  by  Generals 
Lafayette,  Hamilton,  Knox,  Lin- 
coln, and  Rochambeau,  and  giving 
orders  to  commence  the  entrench- 
ments before  Yorktown.  In  the 
W.  parlor  is  an  old  painting  repre- 
senting the  attack  on  Carthagena, 
Admiral  Vernon  commanding, 
1741,  and  Washington's  holsters 
and  camp  equipage,  also  a  globe. 
In  the  second  story ;  at  the  head  of 
Liie  stairs,  is  luajayexie  s  room.  The  room  in  which  Waslv- 
ington  died,  December  14,  1799,  is  at  the  S.  end  of  the  build- 
ing on  this  floor.  It  is  a  small  apartment.  The  bed  is  that 
on  which  he  rested.  There  is  a  fine  view  of  the  surround- 
ing country  from  the  cupola.  On  the  r.  of  the  mansion 
facing  the  lawn  are  the  servants'  hall,  gardener's  lodge,  a 
modern  building,  and  the  spinning  and  weaving  house.  On 


GRAVE  OF  WASHINGTON. 


DEFENSES  OJ?1  WASHINGTON. 


233 


the  same  side  is  the  garden  laid  out  by  Washington.  On  the 
N.  side  are  conservatories  which  replaced  the  old  ones  con- 
sumed  by  fire.  The  ruins  of  the  old  servants'  quarters  are 
near  by.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  lawn  are  the  family 
kitchen,  butler's  house,  smoke  house,  and  laundry,  and  in 
the  rear  of  all  the  stables.  On  the  lawn  are  several  ash  and! 
and  a  magnolia  tree  planted  by  Washington. 

Defenses  of  Washington. — The  inauguration  of  actual  hos- 
tilities by  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  April  12,  13, 
1861,  warned  the  National  Government  of  the  necessity  of 
measures  of  protection.  One  of  the  first  thoughts  was  the 
security  of  the  Nation's  Capital.  The  hastily-improvised  first 
defensive  preparations,  after  some  squeamish  hesitation  about 
invading  a  State,  were  seconded  by  occupying  the  S.  shore  of 
the  Potomac,  and  holding  the  debouches  into  Virginia.  This 
was  necessitated  by  the  proximity  of  Arlington  Heights,  from 
which  the  enemy's  artillery  could  shell  the  city.  On  the  night 
of  May  23,  1861,  the  army,  in  three  columns,  crossed  the 
Potomac,  one,  under  Major  Wood,  by  the  Georgetown  Aque- 
duct ;  another,  under  Major  (General)  Hemtzelman,  by  the 
Long  Bridge;  and  the  third,  under  Colonel  Ellsworth,  by 
water  to  Alexandria.  Fort  Corcoran,  a  tete-de-pont,  was 
commenced  before  daylight,  and,  with  its  auxiliary  works. 
Forts  Bennett  and  Haggerty  and  rifle  trenches,  around  the 
head  of  the  Aqueduct,  Forts  Runyon,  on  the  lowland — a  tete- 
cle-pont — and  Albany,  on  Arlington  Heights,  covering  our 
debouches  from  the  Long  Bridge,  and  Fort  Ellsworth,  on 
Shuter's  Hill,  back  of  Alexandria,  formed  the  basis  of  the 
line  S.  of  the  Potomac.  By  the  time  of  the  advance  of 
McDowell's  arm3r,  seven  weeks,  these  works  were  nearly 
completed. 

The  Bull  Run  disaster  made  it  apparent  that  a  protracted 
war  was  inevitable.  The  Heights  of  Arlington  were  effect- 
ively fortified  by  intermediate  works,  and,  with  Fort  Run- 
yon, formed  a  "  couronne,"  covering  the  bridge  and  heights- 
These  works  were  preliminary  and  auxiliary  to  that  line  of 
impregnable  fortifications  which  later  encircled  the  Capital* 
The  sj'stem  of  works,  constituting  and  appropriately  desig- 
nated the  Defenses  of  Washingtoii,  were  divided  into  four 
groups.  1.  Those  S.  of  the  Potomac,  commencing  with  Fort 
Lyon,  below  Alexandria,  and  terminating  with  Fort  De- 
Kalb,  (Strong,)  opposite  Georgetown.  2.  Those  of  the  Chain 
Bridge.  3.  Those  N.  of  the  Potomac,  between  that  river 
and  the  Anacostia,  commencing  with  Fort  Sumner  and  ter- 
minating with  Fort  Lincoln.  4.  Those  S.  of  the  Anacostiar 
commencing  with  Fort  Mahan  and  terminating  with  Fort 


234 


DEFENSES  OF  WASHINGTON. 


Greble,  nearly  opposite  Alexandria.  The  perimeter,  from 
Fort  Lyon  to  Fort  Greble,  was  33  m.,  and,  including  the  in- 
terval across  the  Potomac,  between  Greble  and  Lyon,  a  total 
of  37  m.  At  the  close  of  hostilities,  in  April,  1865,  the  De- 
fenses consisted  of  68  inclosed  forts  and  batteries  and  em- 
placements, for  1,120  guns,  807  of  which,  and  98  mortars, 
were  actually  mounted  :  93  unarmed  batteries  for  field  guns, 
having  401  emplacements,  and  20  m.  of  rifle-trenches,  and  3 
block  houses.  There  were  also  32  m.  of  specially-constructed 
military  roads. 

In  1864  the  garrisons  S.  of  the  Potomac  consisted  of  one 
division,  under  General  DeRussy,  four  brigades,  under 
Colonels  Tidball,  Tannatt,  Abbott,  and  Schirmer — 11,011 
men ;  N.  of  the  Potomac,  one  division,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Haskin,  aid-de-camp,  with  three  brigades,  under 
Colonels  Morris,  Gibson,  and  Piper — 18,863  men.  To  pre- 
vent a  sudden  dash,  the  minor  roads  were  obstructed  by 
abattis  and  stockades.  The  fords  of  the  Potomac  above  and 
the  S.  front  were  picketed  with  cavalry.  An  infantry  divis- 
ion lay  towards  Bull  Run,  and  infantry  pickets  were  stationed 
on  the  N.  front.  A  provost  guard  of  1,77 6  men,  under  General 
Martindale,  were  on  duty  in  Washington,  and  1,090  men, 
under  General  Slough,  in  Alexandria.  At  the  artillery  depot 
at  Camp  Barry  were  2,000  men  and  17  batteries. 

The  garrisons  varied  in  numbers,  yet  the  over-sensitiveness 
of  the  Government,  respecting  the  safety  of  the  Capital,  con- 
stantly required  the  presence  of  a  large  force.  The  exigen- 
cies of  the  service  in  the  field,  however,  on  several  occasions 
necessitated  a  reduction. 

The  efforts  of  Gen.  Grant,  in  1864,  to  overwhelm  Lee  had 
caused  the  withdrawal  of  the  well-trained  artillerists,  and 
their  places  were  filled  by  new  levies.  As  an  offset  to  the 
vigorous  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  Early 
made  his  demonstration  upon  Washington.  A  brisk  engage- 
ment took  place  at  Rockville,  16  m.  from  Washington.  On 
July  11,  with  20,000  men,  he  appeared  before  Fort  Stevens, 
on  the  7th-st.  road.  The  pickets  retired,  and  the  guns  of 
Fort  Stevens,  Slocum,  and  DeRussy  opened  and  checked  the 
enemy,  who  retired  the  following  night. 

The  ruins  of  the  now  dismantled  and  deserted  Defenses  of 
Washington  may  yet  be  seen  on  almost  every  eminence  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city.  During  their  use  they  accomplished 
an  important  work.  They  saved  the  nation  from  further  ca- 
lamities after  Bull  Run,  when  the  enemy  was  in  sight  on 
Munson  Hill,  and  from  attack  after  the  failures  of  McClel- 
lan's  campaign  against  Richmond,  and  the  retreat  of  Pope, 
in  1862.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  hand  of  fratricidal  strife  may 
never  again  revive  the  sad  work. 


SECTION  VI. 


HISTOM  OF  WASHINGTON. 


k)HE  first  attempt  to  explore  the  Chesapeake  and 
*  its  tributaries  was  made  in  1608,  by  Captain  John 
Smith,  from  the  Jamestown  settlement.  Pie  left  an 
interesting  narrative  of  his  discoveries.  He  speaks 
of  the  "Patawomeke  "  as  6  or  7  m.  in  breadth,  and 
navigable  140  m.  The  Indian  name  was  Cohongu- 
roton,  or  river  of  swans.  The  shores  of  the  great  bay  and 
river  had  a  large  aboriginal  population,  not  less  than  forty 
tribes,  members  of  the  numerous  and  warlike  Algonquin 
family,  who  lived  by  fishing,  the  cultivation  of  maize,  and 
warring  upon  their  neighbors.  The  point  of  the  tongue  of 
land  now  occupied  by  tile  Arsenal  was  the  seat  of  the  council 
fire.  The  Manahoacks  occupied  the  lands  between  the  rivers, 
but  about  1660,  after  a  severe  war  with  the  Powhatans,  were 
overcome,  and  fled  to  the  West,  where  they  joined  the  Tus- 
caroras. 

In  1634.  Henry  Fleet,  with  a  party  of  Calvert's  settlers,  vis- 
ited the  falls  of  the  Potomac.  In  1663,  a  tract  of  land  400  a., 
called  Room,  (Rome,)  was  laid  out  for  Francis  Pope,  gentle- 
man, on  the  east  side  of  the  Anacostian  river,  and  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Tiber.  Another  tract,  of  500  a.,  for  Captain 
Robert  Troop,  called  Scotland  Yard,  was  laid  out  adjoining 
on  the  same  date.  The  lands  of  the  western  portion  of  the 
city,  called  "The  Widow's  Mite,"  600  a.,  were  laid  out  in 
1681  for  William  Langworth.  All  were  in  Charles  county, 
province  of  Maryland. 

In  1790-'91,  Daniel  Carroll  owned  the  lands  on  the  Ana- 
cost  ia,  Xotley  Young,  in  the  forks  of  the  river  and  to  the 
northward,  and  David  Burns  on  the  west,  towards  George- 
town. On  the  bank  of  the  river,  east  of  the  Observatory, 
was  a  settlement  called  Hamburg,  previously  Funkstown. 
On  the  Anacostia,  a  short  distance  above  the  Arsenal,  was 
Carrollsburg.  The  arable  lands  were  tilled,  and  produced 
wheat,  tobacco,  and  maize. 

On  April  30,  1783,  nineteen  days  after  the  proclamation  of 

(23d) 


236 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


a  cessation  of  hostilities  between  the  late  British  Colonies  in 
North  America  and  the  mother  country,  the  subject  of  a  per- 
manent capital  for  the  general  government  of  the  United 
States  of  America  was  incidentally  alluded  to  in  Congress. 
In  March,  1783,  the  legislature  of  New  York  offered  to  cede 
the  town  of  Kingston  as  a  place  of  permanent  meeting. 
Shortly  after,  Maryland  tendered  Annapolis  for  the  same 
purpose;  also  $180,000  if  selected. 

A  proposition  by  a  prominent  gentleman  was  the  location 
of  the  capital,  for  a  term  of  thirteen  years,  at  some  cf  the 
growing  western  settlements,  such  as  Detroit,  Louisville, 
Kaskaskia,  St.  Vincent's,  and  Sandusky;  stating  that  uan 
amazing  value  would  be  added  to  that  important  territory  ;  " 
that  it  would  *k accelerate  the  rapidity  of  its  settlement  and 
population,"  and  at  about  twelve  cents  an  acre  would  extin- 
guish the  national  debt;  that  Congress  should  assume  plen- 
ary jurisdiction  over  a  compass  of  twenty  miles  square  ;  should 
form  a  government  "on  the  most  perfect  plan  of  modern  re- 
finement ;  "  in  place  of  certificates,  should  award  the  lands  in 
the  vicinity  uto  those  brave  officers  and  men  who  served  in 
the  late  glorious  war."  These,  Spartan-like,  it  was  expected, 
would  form  " an  impregnable  bulwark  against  the  natives," 
or  any  other  dangers.  "Williamsburg,  the  old  capital  of  Vir- 
ginia, was  offered  at  the  same  time. 

On  October  6,  1783,  Congress  voted  upon  the  selection  of 
a  State,  as  they  existed  at  that  time,  beginning  with  New 
Hampshire,  and  proceeding  in  order  southward.  New  Jersey 
and  Maryland  received  the  highest  number  of  votes,  but  no 
choice  was  made.  The  next  day,  on  a  resolution  b}r  Eldridge 
Gerry,  the  location  of  the  "  Federal  City  "  was  voted  on  or 
near  the  falls  of  the  Delaware,  near  Trenton,  and  a  commit- 
tee of  five  was  appointed  to  examine  the  locality  and  report. 
On  October  21  following,  the  erection  of  buildings  was  author- 
ized at  or  near  the  lower  falls  of  the  Potomac  or  Georgetown, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  and  report  on  that 
site.  Two  localities  were  now  provided  for,  and  meanwhile 
Congress  wTas  to  meet  alternately  at  Trenton  and  Annapolis. 

The  inconvenience  of  two  capitals  was  soon  demonstrated. 
The  Delaware  committee  reported  favorably,  and  that  for  the 
Potomac  unfavorably  on  that  location,  though  they  thought 
better  of  a  site  above  Georgetown,  or  1J  m.  below,  at  Funks- 
town.  On  December  20,  1784,  it  was  decided  inexpedient  to 
erect  buildings  at  more  than  one  place.  On  December  23 
three  commissioners  were  appointed  to  lay  out  a  district  of 
not  less  than  two  nor  more  than  3  m.  square,  on  either  side 
of  the  Delaware,  within  8  m.  above  or  below  the  falls. 

Commissioners.— 1791-'94,  Thomas  Johnson,  Mcl.;  1791-'95, 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


237 


Daniel  Carroll,  Mel. ;  1791-94,  David  Stuart,  Va. ;  1794-1800, 
Gustavus  Scott,  Mel. ;  1794-1802,  William  Thornton,  Penn. ; 
1795-1802,  Alexander  White,  Md. ;  1800,  William  Cranch, 
Md.:  1800-1802,  Tristram  Dalton,  Md. 

The  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  1787,  gave  Congress 
the  power  "to  exercise  exclusive  legislation  in  all  cases  what- 
soever over  such  district,  not  exceeding  10  m.  square,  as  may, 
by  cession  of  particular  States  and  the  acceptance  of  Con- 
gress, become  the  seat  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States."    *   *   *   (Art.  I,  Sec.  8.) 

The  first  session  of  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, assembled  under  the  Constitution,  was  called  upon  to 
enter  into  this  question,  confronted  by  a  stronger  evidence  of 
sectional  spirit  than  had  hitherto  been  exhibited.  Eesolutions 
from  the  legislatures  of  States,  besides  numerous  petitions 
and  memorials,  were  presented,  urging  certain  localities,  and 
frequently  offering  great  inducements.  Districts  of  10  m. 
square,  with  the  right  to  exercise  exclusive  jurisdiction,  were 
offered  to  Congress"  for  the  seat  of  Government  by  acts  of  the 
General  Assemblies  of  Maryland  in  December,  1788,  Penn- 
sylvania in  September,  1789,  and  Virginia  in  December,  1789. 
As  an  additional  inducement,  Virginia  offered  $120,000,  and 
Maryland  $72,000.  Pennsylvania,  in  her  grant,  excepted 
Philadelphia,  the  district  of  Southwark,  and  part  of  the 
Northern  Liberties.  Petitions  were  also  received  from  the 
inhabitants  of  Trenton,  in  New  Jersey ;  Lancaster,  Wright's 
Ferry,  York,  Carlisle,  Harrisburg,  Beading,  and  German- 
town,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  Baltimore  and  Georgetown,  in 
Maryland.  All  expressed  their  willingness  to  come  under  the 
aegis  of  Congress  and  the  Constitution,  and  pictured  in  glow- 
ing colors  the  advantages  of  climate  and  scenery,  and  conve- 
niences of  access  which  their  respective  localities  possessed. 
The  newspapers  of  the  day  frequently  took  a  humorous  view 
of  this  patriotic  competition,  and  in  prose  and  verse  gave  vei\t 
to  considerable  good-natured  sentiment. 

In  the  second  session  the  Capital  question  was  again  agi- 
tated, and  Baltimore,  Wilmington,  the  Delaware,  German- 
town,  between  the  Potomac  and  the  Susquehanna,  were  all 
urged ;  but  the  act  establishing  the  temporary  Seat  of  Govern- 
ment at  Philadelphia,  from  the  first  Monday  in  December, 
1790,  and  the  permanent  on  the  river  Potomac,  between  the 
mouths  of  the  Eastern  Branch  (Anacostia)  and  Conogo- 
cheague,  a  tributary  of  the  upper  Potomac,  to  be  ready  for 
the  sessions  of  Congress  by  the  first  Monday  in  December, 
1800,  was  finally  passed,  and  approved  by  Washington  July 
16,  1790.  In  the  Senate  it  received  14  yeas  and  12  nays,  and 
in  the  House  32  yeas  and  29  nays.    The  immediate  settle- 


238 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


ment  was  effected  as  a  compromise  with  the  advocates  of  a 
fiscal  measure  known  as  the  assumption  of  the  State  debts. 
The  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  Middle  States  going  with 
the  South,  gave  the  majority  for  the  Potomac. 

The  Legislature  of  Virginia,  in  December,  1790,  appropri- 
ated the  $120,000  previously  offered,  payable  in  three  annual 
installments.  In  December,  1791,  the  Legislature  of  Mary- 
land gave  an  order  for  the  payment  of  the  $72,000  donated 
by  that  State.  The  December  before,  the  same  Legislature 
passed  an  act  for  providing  for  the  condemnation  of  land,  if 
necessary,  for  the  public  buildings.  On  January  22,  1791, 
the  first  commissioners,  three  in  number,  were  appointed  to 
superintend  the  affairs  of  the  city.  On  January  24  the  Presi- 
dent issued  a  proclamation  directing  the  commissioners  to  lay 
down  the  four  experimental  lines  of  boundary,  as  follows  : 

First,  by  running  a  line  from  the  court-house  of  Alexan- 
dria, in  Virginia,  due  SW.  J  m.,  and  thence  a  due  SE.  course 
till  it  struck  Hunting  Creek.  This  was  to  be  the  initial 
point,  from  which  the  first  line  was  to  run  due  NW.  10  m. ; 
the  second  into  Maryland  due  XE.  10  m. ;  the  third  due  SE. 
10  m. ;  and  the  fourth  due  SW.  10  m.  to  the  beginning,  on 
Hunting  Creek.  These  were  approved  by  Congress.  The 
original  act  required  the  location  of  the  District  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Eastern  Branch  or  Anacostia  river.  To  con- 
form the  law  to  the  experimental  lines,  an  amendatory  act, 
approved  March  3,  1791,  repealed  the  conflicting  portion  of 
the  act  of  July  16,  1790,  but  required  the  public  buildings  to 
be  erected  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac.  After  the 
completion  of  the  necessary  legislation  on  the  subject,  Presi- 
dent Washington  set  out  on  a  visit  to  the  Potomac.  He 
arrived  March  28,  1791,  and  put  up  at  Suter's  tavern,  a  one- 
story  frame  structure,  the  favorite  resort  of  travelers  arriving 
at  Georgetown.  On  March  29,  in  company  with  the  three 
commissioners  and  the  surveyors,  Andrew  Ellicott  and  Major 
Peter  Charles  L'Enfant,  he  rode  over  the  ground.  The  same 
night  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a  re- 
conciliation with  the  property  owners.  There  were  some 
who  desired  to  derive  all  the  advantages  offered  by  the  pro- 
posed city  without  making  a  reasonable  concession  to  its 
success.  The  counsel  of  Washington  had  its  effect.  The 
general  terms  agreed  upon  were  signed  b}^  nineteen  of  the 
original  proprietors.  The  President  issued  a  proclamation, 
dated  March  30, 1791,  at  Georgetown,  which  defined  the  lines 
of  the  Federal  territory  accepted  by  Congress,  and  ordered 
the  commissioners  to  proceed  forthwith  to  have  the  lines 
permanently  marked. 

The  President  novi  left  for  a  brief  visit  to  his  home  at 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


239 


Mount  Vernon ;  thence  be  proceeded  to  Richmond,  Va.,  to 
consult  with  Gov.  Beverly  Randolph  respecting  the  payment  of 
the  $120,000  appropriated  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia 
towards  the  building  of  the  Capital.  On  April  13  he  wrote, 
informing  the  commissioners  that  the  Governor  was  willing 
to  advance  the  money  at  earlier  periods  than  agreed  upon. 
On  April  12  the  commissioners  held  their  first  regular  meet- 
ing at  Georgetown.  On  April  15  the  initial  or  corner-stone 
of  the  lines  of  the  Federal  territory  was  formally  planted  in 
the  presence  of  the  three  commissioners,  Andrew  Ellicott, 
the  surveyor,  and  the  Masons  and  many  citizens  of  Alexan- 
dria. James  Muir,  the  pastor  of  that  Episcopal  parish,  deliv- 
ered a  sermon.  On  June  29  a  final  settlement  was  effected, 
by  which  the  lands  ceded  to  the  Government  were  conveyed 
in  trust  to  Thomas  Beall,  of  George,  and  John  M.  Gantt,  of 
Maryland,  or  their  heirs,  for  the  United  States.  The  streets, 
squares,  parcels,  and  lots  were  to  be  laid  out,  and  conveyed 
by  the  trustees  to  the  United  States ;  the  residue  of  the  land 
was  to  be  divided  equally.  For  their  share  the  United  States 
were  to  pay  £25,  or  $66  66§  an  a.  The  streets  and  squares 
wTent  to  the  Government  free.  There  were  other  stipulations 
respecting  sales  of  lands  and  payment  of  indebtedness  to  the 
proprietors.  They  were  also  permitted  to  occupy  the  lands 
till  required  for  public  use.  Owing  to  a  disagreement,  the 
streets  and  reservations  were  never  conveyed  to  the  commis- 
sioners. The  law  officer  of  the  Government  and  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  however,  have  decided  that  the 
United  States  have  absolute  control  over  them  notwithstand- 
ing. An  act  of  Maryland,  Dec.  19,  1791,  ratified  the  cession 
of  its  portion  of  the  Federal  territory,  and  designated  certain 
powers  and  duties  of  the  commissioners,  who  were  also  au- 
thorized to  take  possession,  in  the  same  proportion  as  agreed 
with  the  others,  of  lots  in  Hamburg  and  Carrollsburg.  The 
inhabitants  of  Georgetown,  who  so  requested,  were  to  be  in- 
cluded, provided  they  conformed  to  the  general  terms  of 
the  agreement,  which  they  declined. 

The  laying  out  of  the  city  according  to  the  plans  prepared 
by  L'Enfant,  which  were  approved  by  Washington  in  Aug., 
1791,  was  carried  out  under  the  direction  of  Andrew  Ellicott, 
a  native  of  Bucks  county,  Penn.,  a  gentleman  of  fine  attain- 
ments, and  who  had  executed  a  number  of  important  sur- 
veys.   He  was  born  in  1754,  and  died  at  West  Point  in  1820. 

The  first  step  was  the  establishment  of  the  "meridian 
Line"  through  the  site  of  the  Capitol,  and  the  E.  and  W.  in- 
tersecting line,  which  were  to  form  the  basis  of  the  execution 
of  the  entire  plan.  At  a  meeting  of  the  commissioners  on 
Sept.  8,  1791,  certain  regulations  wrere  prescribed  in  regard 


210 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


to  the  erection  of  private  buildings,  and  the  present  names  of 
the  city  and  District  and  designation  of  the  streets  were 
adopted.  The  first  public  sale  of  lots,  of  which  the  Govern- 
ment had  10,13G,  took  place  at  Georgetown  on  Oct.  17, 1791. 
A  large  number  of  purchasers  were  present  from  all  parts  of 
the  country,  and  the  prices  paid  ranged  from  $26  66  to  $306  59, 
During  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1791  the  commissioners 
also  made  preparations  for  the  commencement  of  work  early 
in  the  following  spring.  Contracts  for  building  material  and 
food  were  awarded,  and  a  freestone  quarry  on  Higgington's 
island,  40  m.  below  the  city,  was  purchased. 

The  President's  House  was  the  first  of  the  public  buildings 
commenced.  An  historical  sketch  of  each  of  the  public 
buildings  will  be  found,  with  their  description,  in  the  HAND- 
BOOK. " 

The  building  of  the  city,  as  might  be  expected,  attracted  a 
number  of  that  class  of  persons  who,  though  poor  in  means, 
were  still  rich  in  schemes.  Among  the  earliest  was  one 
Samuel  Blodgett,  wTho  appeared  on  the  scene  as  an  applicant  for 
permission  to  build  an  entire  street,  which  was  granted.  After 
considerable  planning  and  negotiating,  the  enterprise  was 
abandoned,  the  commissioners  having  no  funds  to  spare,  and 
Blodgett's  being  all  in  anticipation.  Undaunted,  however, 
the  same  person  undertook  the  erection  of  a  great  hotel,  the 
funds  for  which  were  to  be  raised  by  lottery,  the  hotel  being 
the  first  prize.  The  building  was  partly  erected,  and  was 
drawn  by  a  person  without  means  to  complete  it.  It  re- 
mained unfinished  till  purchased,  years  after,  by  the  Govern- 
ment for  the  Post  and  Patent  Offices. 

In  1793,  the  commissioners  entered  into  an  agreement 
with  Robert  Morris  and  James  Greenleaf  for  the  sale  of  6,000 
lots,  at  $80  a  lot,  payable  in  seven  annual  installments,  with- 
out interest,  they  obliging  themselves  to  erect,  in  1794,  and 
annually  for  six  "years,  twenty  brick  houses,  two  stories  high. 
The  above  two  and  John  Nicholson  bound  themselves  to  ful- 
fill the  contract.  The  parties  failed  to  comply  with  any  por- 
tion of  the  contract,  which  led  to  the  serious  embarrassment 
of  the  commissioners. 

One  of  the  great  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  commission- 
ers in  the  beginning  was  the  scarcity  of  skilled  workmen. 
Agents  were  sent  to  the  northern  cities,  and  some  importa- 
tions were  made  from  abroad.  The  slaves  from  the  adjacent 
plantations  were  almost  exclusively  employed  as  laborers. 

In  1796,  Congress  authorized  the  commissioners,  under 
the  direction  of  the  President,  to  borrow  $300,000,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  assumed  a  supervision  of  the  affairs  of  the 
city,  requiring  the  commissioners  to  report  their  operations 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


241 


semi-annually  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  Meeting 
with  no  success  in  negotiating  their  loan  in  Holland,  whence 
the  first  application  of  the  commissioners  was  made,  the  As- 
sembly of  Maryland  came  to  their  rescue  bv  granting  them 
a  loan  of  $100,000. 

The  election  of  John  Adams  at  first  excited  some  solicitude 
on  the  part  of  the  friends  of  the  Federal  city,  in  considera- 
tion of  the- opposition  to  the  selection  of  the  Potomac  site 
shown  by  the  New  England  States  in  the  discussion  and  vote 
in  Congress  in  1790.  The  President,  however,  gave  assur- 
ance of  a  determination  to  cany  out  the  views  of  his  prede- 
cessor. 

In  1799,  after  a  long  discussion,  Congress  voted  another 
$100,000  to  the  commissioners,  which  amount  was  also  ad- 
vanced by  the  State  of  Maryland.  The  next  year  $50,000 
was  obtained  from  the  same  source,  on  the  personal  security 
of  the  commissioners. 

In  Februaiy,  1800,  they  executed  the  papers  necessary  to 
the  security  of  all  the  loans  or  advances  to  the  city,  both 
from  the  State  of  Maryland  and  the  National  Government, 
amounting  to  $300,000,  exclusive  of  the  last  loan  of  $50,000. 
For  that  purpose  they  pledged  all  the  property  in  the  city 
sold  or  contracted  for  before  that  time,  and  upon  which  pay- 
ments had  not  been  made.  The  land  acquired  or  purchased 
for  the  United  States  and  yet  unsold,  exclusive  of  lots  for- 
feited for  non-payment  of  purchase  money  and  then  liable  to 
be  sold,  amounted  to  4,682  lots  and  2,043  ft.  frontage  on 
navigable  water,  valued  at  $884,750.  The  debt  was  $144,125, 
and  contracted  for  on  the  credit  of  the  above  funds  of  $360,- 
881.  The  N.  wing  of  the  Capitol,  the  President's  House, 
and  War  and  Treasury  Offices,  the  first  commenced  in  1797, 
were  ready  for  occupation.  A  number  of  dwellings  had 
been  erected  by  private  parties  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Capitol, 
President's  House,  and  Greenleaf's  Point.  Penns3rlvania 
av.,  the  thoroughfare  from  the  Capitol  to  the  President's 
House,  was  ditched.  Other  avenues  and  streets  connecting 
the  widely-scattered  parts  of  the  city  were  also  opened.  The 
reservations  around  the  Capitol  and  President's  House  were 
planted.  A  turnpike  was  also  opened  to  Baltimore.  Suita- 
ble provisions  having  been  made  by  act  of  Congress  dated 
April  24,  "V800,  the  archives  of  the  Government  were  con- 
veyed to  Washington.  The  Executive  and  offices  were 
transferred  at  the  same  time.  On  November  21  Congress 
commenced  its  sessions  in  the  N".  wing  of  the  Capitol.  Con- 
gress assumed  jurisdiction  over  the  District  of  Columbia  in 
1801,  and  declared  that  the  laws  of  Virginia  and  Maryland 
ltf 


242 


HTSTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


should  continue  respectively  in  force  in  the  portions  of  the 
District  ceded  by  those  States. 

In  1802  the  Board  of  Commissioners  was  abolished  and 
succeeded  by  a  superintendent,  Thomas  Munroe,  who  was  re- 
quired to  settle  up  all  accounts,  and  to  sell  a  sufficient  number 
of  the  lots  pledged  for  the  repayment  of  the  loan  of  $200,000 
from  the  State  of  Maryland,  so  as  to  meet  all  obligations  of 
interest  and  installments.  In  event  of  an  unwarrantable  sac- 
rifice of  the  property  to  meet  these  demands,  the  sale  was  to 
cease,  and  the  balance  was  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of 
the  United  States.  Lots  not  paid  for  were  also  to  be  sold  to 
meet  the  loan  of  $50,000  from  the  State  of  Maryland,  or,  if 
not  sufficient,  the  residue  was  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury. 

Mayors  of  Washington. — 1802,  Robert  Brent ;  1812,  Daniel 
Eapine ;  1813,  James  H.  Blake ;  1817,  Benjamin  G.  Orr ;  1819, 
Samuel  M.  Smallwood;  1822,  T.  Carberry;  1824,  Roger  C. 
Weightman;  1827,  Joseph  Gales,  jr.;  1830,  John  P.  Van 
Kess;  1834,  W.  A.  Bradley;  1836,  Peter  Force ;  1840,  W.  W. 
Seaton ;  1850,  Walter  Lenox ;  1852,  John  W.  Maury ;  1854, 
John  T.  Towers;  1856,  W.  B.  Magruder;  1858,  J.  G.  Ber- 
rett ;  1862,  Richard  Wallach ;  1868,  S.  J.  Bo  wen ;  1870,  M.  G. 
Emery. 

Governors  of  the  District  of  Columbia. — 1871,  Henry  D. 
Cooke ;  1873,  A.  R.  Shepherd. 

On  May  3, 1802,  the  municipal  government  was  created  by 
Congress,  to  consist  of  a  mayor  and  council.  Congress  re- 
served supreme  jurisdiction.  The  affairs  of  the  county,  and 
the  construction  of  roads  outside  the  city,  were  intrusted  to 
a  board  known  as  the  levy  court.  On  Feb.  21, 1871,  the  ter- 
ritorial form  of  government  was  substituted. 

The  most  important  event  in  the  history  of  the  Capital 
since  its  foundation  was  the  occupation  by  the  British.  The 
President  (Madison)  and  the  Cabinet,  over-confident  of  the 
safety  of  the  Capital,  or  the  indisposition  of  the  British,  who 
controlled  the  Chesapeake,  to  attack,  had  neglected  to  make 
suitable  provisions  for  defense.  As  a  consequence,  about 
3,500  raw  militia,  hastily  concentrated  and  badly  handled, 
were  suddenly  called  upon  to  confront  the  enemy,  4,000 
strong,  at  Bladensburg,  5  m.  from  the  Capital,  on  August 
24,  1814.  Commodore  Barney,  with  a  few  hundred  sailors 
and  marines,  and  BealPs  Maryland  militia,  made  a  stubborn 
resistance  on  the  turnpike,  but,  unsupported  by  the  rest  of 
the  troops,  who  had  fled  almost  without  a  fight,  fell  back  to 
the  Capital,  proposing  to  defend  that  point.  From  here  he 
was  ordered  to  retire  and  take  position  behind  Georgetown, 
leaving  the  city  entirely  defenseless.    The  American  troops 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


243 


retreated  towards  Montgomery  Court  House,  having  beer 
preceded  by  the  President  and  Cabinet  and  other  prominent 
officers  of  the  Government.  The  total  force  of  Americans 
available  was  7,000  men,  but  through  mismanagement,  the 
incapacity  of  Gen.  Winder,  the  commander,  and  the  inter- 
ference of  the  President  and  Cabinet,  especially  the  Secretary 
of  War,  not  more  than  half  that  number  reached  the  field, 
and  even  then  were  outnumbered  five  to  one  on  the  points  of 
attack.  The  whole  British  force  which  landed  on  the  Pau- 
tuxent  numbered  5,123  men,  of  which  4,500  men  took  part 
in  the  fight .  The  American  loss  was  26  killed  and  51  wounded, 
and  the  British  150  killed  and  300  wounded. 

At  8  p.  m.  on  the  day  of  the  battle  the  enemy  bivouacked 
on  Capitol  Hill.  The  Capitol,  Library  of  Congress,  Presi- 
dent's House,  Arsenal,  Treasury  and  War  offices,  Long 
Bridge,  and  office  of  the  National  Intelligencer  newspaper, 
were  burned  the  same  night,  also  some  private  buildings. 
The  Navy  Yard  and  frigate  Columbia,  on  the  stocks,  and 
Argus,  five  barges,  and  two  gunboats  were  destroyed  by 
order  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  The  explosion  of  pow- 
der in  a  well  at  the  arsenal  killed  15  and  wounded  30  of  the 
British. 

On  the  evening  of  August  25  the  British  evacuated  the 
Capital.  To  use  the  words  of  one  of  the  British  officers,  the 
retreat  "was  as  cautious  and  stealthy  and  precipitate  as  was 
natural  for  a  retreating  army  under  such  circumstances." 
On  the  retreat  many  died  of  fatigue  or  were  taken  prisoners 
by  the  cavalry  harassing  the  rear.  Nearly  200  of  the  dead 
left  by  the  enemy  were  buried  by  the  citizens.  It  was  esti- 
mated that  his  aggregate  loss  was  not  less  than  1,000  men. 

The  enemy  reached  Benedict  on  the  evening  of  August  29, 
and  re-embarked  the  next  day. 

The  sight  of  the  Capital  in  flames  had  aroused  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  surrounding  country,  who  were  being  rallied  by 
the  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Monroe.  It  was  resolved  to  cut 
off  the  enemy's  retreat  to  his  ships.  His  haste,  however, 
frustrated  these  patriotic  proceedings. 

When  the  question  of  the  restoration  of  the  public  build- 
ings was  under  discussion,  a  long  and  bitter  debate  ensued, 
evincing  not  only  a  strong  disposition  to  abandon  the  city, 
but  a  dangerous  sectional  feeling.  For  a  time  the  most  seri- 
ous consequences  were  threatened.  Calmer  counsels,  how- 
ever, prevailed,  and  an  appropriation  of  $500,000  was  made 
for  the  repair  or  re-erection  of  the  buildings  on  their  old 
sites.    The  estimated  loss  was  $1,000,000. 

In  1846  that  portion  of  the  District  lying  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Potomac  was  retroceded  to  Virginia.    In  1850  the  sale 


244 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON. 


of  slaves  was  prohibited,  and  on  April  16,  1862,  slavery  was 
abolished  in  the  District. 

Daring  the  rebellion,  1861-65,  the  Capital  had  every  ap- 
pearance of  a  vast  fortress.  It  was  the  base  of  operations  of 
mighty  armies,  called  out  for  the  defense  of  the  Constitution 
and  the  Union.  On  the  surrounding  hills  were  military 
camps ;  in  the  city  were  hospitals  and  stores ;  and  the  ave- 
nues and  streets  were  the  daily  scene  of  moving  troops  and 
trains. 

The  infusion  of  a  new  element  into  the  population  of  the 
Capital  was  one  of  the  important  results  of  the  rebellion  of 
1861-'65.  It  was  not,  however,  till  a  decade  later  that  a  sys- 
tem of  improvements  on  a  grand  scale  were  commenced.  In 
that  time  the  number  of  the  inhabitants  increased  nearly 
fifty  thousand.  Congress,  in  the  meantime,  had  dispossessed 
itself  of  the  idea  that  a  National  Capital  was  a  political  conve- 
nience, instead  of  necessity.  The  ideas  of  Washington,  Jeffer- 
son, and  L'Enfant,  after  a  sleep  of  more  than  three  quarters 
of  a  century,  are  being  realized.  The  grand  avenues,  broad 
streets,  and  beautiful  parks  are  in  keeping  with  the  magni- 
ficence of  the  Capitol  and  the  imposing  proportions  of  the 
structures  occupied  by  the  various  Executive  Departments 
of  the  Government.  Elegant  residences,  fine  churches, 
commodious  school-houses,  and  many  public  and  private 
institutions  have  been  erected.  It  must  be  admitted  that  the 
Capital  is  no  longer  a  reflection  upon  the  taste,  culture,  and 
liberality  of  the  nation,  and  the  least  inviting  of  American 
cities.  At  the  same  rate  of  improvement,  in  ten  years  the 
Capital  of  the  United  States  will  be  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful in  the  world.  These  gratifying  results  are  unquestion- 
ably due  to  the  interest  and  zeal  of  President  Grant,  and  to 
the  energy  and  courage  of  Governor  Shepherd. 


INDEX. 


Adams,  John,  painting  of,  123. 

Admiral's  Office,  143. 

Agriculture,  Department  of,  156; 
Grounds,  150 ;  Plant  Houses,  156 ; 
Building,  157;  Museum,  159; 
History  of.  161. 

  District  of  Columbia,  11. 

  Committe  on,  114. 

  Museum  of,  159. 

Alexandria,  228;  History  of,  229  ; 
Washington's  Headqu'rs,  229; 
Christ  Church,  229;  National 
Cemetery,  229. 

  Canal,  214,  229. 

Allegory,  Brumidi's,  76. 

Altitude,  mean,  Washington,  15. 

Amusements,  general,  xiv. 

Anacostia  river,  15,  49. 

  Channel,  49. 

Analostan  Island,  214. 

Antiquities,  European,  191. 

Aqueduct,  217;  Distances,  217;  Dis- 
tributing Reservoir,  217  ;  Re- 
ceiving. 217;  Cabin  John  Bridge, 
21S;  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  218. 

  Georgetown,  214. 

  Bridge,  53,  214. 

Architects  of  the  Capitol,  114. 

Area  of  Washington,  3. 

Arlington  House,  215;  National  Cem- 
etery, 215;  Custis's  Spring,  216. 

Armory.  196. 

 Square,  38. 

Army,  Headquarters  of,  136. 

Army  Medical  Museum,  167. 

Arsenal,  172. 

Art,  Corcoran  Gallery  of,  191. 

Associate  Justices,  list  of,  89. 

Asylums— Naval  Hospital,  202;  Sol- 
diers' and  Sailors'  Orphans' 
Home,  202;  Columbia  Hospital 
for  Women,  and  Lying-in,  202; 
Washington,  202;  Louise  Home, 
203;  Providence,  General,  203; 
Washington  City  Orphan,  203; 
Children's  Hospital,  204;  St. 
John's  Hospital,  204:  St.  Ann's 
Infant,  204;  St.  Joseph's  Male 
Orphan,  204;  St.  Vincent's  Fe- 

(245) 


Asylums — 

male  Orphan,  204;  Epiphany- 
Church  Home,  204;  Home  for 
the  aged,  205;  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
225;  Insane,  227. 
Attorneys  General,  list  of,  155. 
Avenues,  24. 

  Description  of,  26. 

  Improvement  of,  25. 

Bache,  A.  D.,  grave  of,  206. 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  Bridge,  53. 
Baptism  of  Pocahontas,  painting,  74. 
Basement,  House  of  Reps.,  113. 

  N.  wing,  104. 

  Senate,  101. 

 S.  wing,  105. 

Battery  and  electric  gas-lighting 

apparatus,  77 
Battle  Record  room,  170. 
Benning's  Bridge,  53. 
Benton,  bust  of,  97. 
Birds,  39. 

Bladensburg,  224;  battle-field  of, 
224;  duelling  ground  at,  224; 
Calvert  mansion,  224. 

  Battle  of,  241. 

Board  of  Public  Works,  9,  207. 
Boarding,  viii. 

Boone  in  conflict  with  the  Indians, 

relievo,  70. 
Booth,  assassin,  173. 
Botanical  Garden,  site,  41 ;  Grounds, 
41;  Conservatories,  42;  Botani- 
cal class  room,  42;  Joint  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library,  42;  Botan- 
ical collection, 42;  Centre  Build- 
ing or  Rotunda,  43;  East  range 
and  wing,  43;  West  range  and 
wing,  44";  Superintendents,  45  j 
History,  45. 
Botany,  District  of  Columbia,  12. 
Boundaries,  District  of  Columbia,  G. 

  Washington,  4. 

Boundary  street,  30,  31. 
Bridges,  52;  Long  Bridge,  52;  Navy 
Yard,  53;  Benning's,  53;  Balti- 
more and  Potomac  Railroad,  53; 
Aqueduct,  53;  Chain,  53;  Penn- 
sylvania av.,  (Rock  creek,)  53r 


246 


INDEX. 


Bridges— 

214;  M-st.,  53;  P-st.,  53;  James 
creek  canal,  53;  Culverts,  53; 
Uniontown,53;  Cabin  John, 218; 
Mountain  Spring,  218. 

Bronze  door,  main,  67. 

 Senate,  90. 

  Staircases,  94, 109. 

Brown,  General,  grave  of,  206. 

Cabin  John  Bridge,  218. 

Cabot,  relievo  of,  70. 

Canals,  50;  Washington,  50;  James 
creek,  50;  Chesapeake  and  Ohio, 
213 ;  Alexandria,  214,  229. 

Cannon  captured,  172, 174. 

Capital,  a  virgin,  1. 

Capitol,  56;  Situation,  56;  Street 
cars  to,  57;  Site  of,  57;  Ap- 
proaches, 57 ;  Grounds,  58 ;  Gen- 
eral exterior  view  of,  58 ;  First 
terrace,  61 ;  Fountain,  61 ;  Sec- 
ond terrace,  61 ;  General  exte- 
rior description,  62;  Dome,  63; 
Statue  of  Freedom,  64 ;  Porticos, 
65 ;  Statuary,  65, 66 ;  Main  Bronze 
door,  67 ;  Rotunda,  69 ;  Relievos, 
70;  Historical  paintings,  70; 
Canopy  of  Rotunda,  76;  Ascent 
of  the  Dome,  77;  Battery  and 
electric  gas-lighting  apparatus, 
77;  Panoramic  view  of  Wash- 
ington, 77;  Library  of  the  United 
States,  79;  North  wing,  87;  N. 
or  Senate  Extension,  90;  Stair- 
cases, 92,  94,  96;  Galleries,  97; 
Senate  Chamber,  99;  Basement, 
100;  Committee  rooms,  101; 
Heating  and  ventilating,  103, 
114;  N.  wing  basement,  104; 
Law  Library,  104;  Crypt,  104; 
Undercroft,  104;  National  Stat- 
uary Hall,  105;  S.  or  House  Ex- 
tension, 108;  Staircases,  109; 
Second  floor,  112;  Galleries,  112; 
House  of  Representatives,  112; 
Basement,  113;  Com'tee  rooms, 
114;  Capitol  police,  114;  Archi- 
tects, 114;  History,  114. 

  Hill,  15,57. 

  History  of,  114. 

 Selection  of  site  of,  17. 

 Street,  E.,  N.,  S.,  31. 

Cemeteries,  Eastern  and  Western, 
(Holmead,)  205;  Congressional, 
205;  Arlington,  (Military,)  216; 
Rock  Creek,  223;  Military,  (Sol- 
diers' Home,)  223;  Glenwood, 
224;  Prospect  Hill,  224;  St.  Ma- 
ry's, 224;  Mt.  Olivet,  226:  Grace- 
land,  227;  National,  (Alexan- 
dria,) 229. 

Ceremonies,  xiv. 

Chain  Bridge,  53. 


Chapultepec,  storming  of,  painting, 

96. 

Chase,  grave  of,  212. 

Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  213. 

Chief  Justices,  busts  of,  87. 

 list  of,  89. 

Childrens'  Hospital,  204. 

Chronicle,  The,  200. 

Church,  Christ,  Alexandria,  229. 

 Rock  Creek,  223. 

Churches,  list  of,  xiii. 

 Washington,  197. 

Circles,  Washington,  39 ;  14th  street, 
39;  13th  street,  39;  P  street,  39. 

City  Hall,  171. 

City  Spring,  198. 

Claims,  U.  S.  court  of,  89. 

Clinton,  George,  statue  of,  107. 

 grave  of,  205. 

Climate,  District  of  Columbia,  13. 

College,  Deaf  Mute,  225. 

 Georgetown,  213. 

Columbia  Hospital  for  Women,  202. 

  Institute,  for  the  deaf  and 

dumb,  225. 

Columbian  University,  220. 

Columbus,  relievo  of,  70. 

Commissioners  of  Washington,  235. 

Committee  Rooms  —  Senate  — 101; 
Military  Affairs,  102;  Naval  Af- 
fairs, 102;  Indian,  102;  Foreign 
Relations,  102;  Judiciary,  102; 
Library,  102. 

 House,  114;  Agriculture,  114. 

Commerce,  50. 

Congress,  120. 

 Continental,  Presidents  of,  119, 

 Continental,  Sessions  of,  119. 

 History  of,  118. 

Congressional  Library,  (see  Library 

of  the  U.  S.,)79. 
Connecticut  av.,  25-27. 
Conservatories,  President's,  123. 
Constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  original, 

128. 

 Ratification  of,  119. 

Convent  of  the  Visitation,  212. 
Copyrights,  86. 

Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art,  189;  Stat- 
uary, 191;  Bronzes,  191;  Anti- 
quities, 191;  Paintings,  191. 

Corcoran,  W.  W.,  192. 

Crawford,  sculptor,  bust  of,  107. 

Crypt,  the,  104. 

Culverts,  53. 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  225. 
Deaf  Mute  College,  225. 
Declaration  of  Independence,  148. 

 Signing  of,  painting,  71. 

Defenses  of  Washington,  232. 
Delaware  av.,  24,  28. 
Department  of  State,  128 ;  Treasury, 
131;  War,  136;  Navy,  140;  Inte- 


INDEX. 


247 


Department  of  State — 

rior,  142;  Post  Office,  151;  Jus- 
tice, 154;  Agriculture,  156. 

Discovery  of  America,  statue.  68. 

Discovery  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
painting,  75. 

Distances  to  Great  Falls  Potomac, 
217. 

  Tables  of,  xix,  3. 

)istrictof  Columbia— Geographical 
situation,  5;  Boundaries,  6,237; 
Political  Divisions,  7;  Govern- 
ment, 7;  Finances,  9;  Popula- 
tion, 9;  Statistics,  miscellane- 
ous, 10;  Vital  Statistics,  10;  In- 
dustry and  Wealth,  10;  Agri- 
culture, 11;  Topography,  11; 
Geology,  11;  Botany,  12;  Zoolo- 
gy, 12;  Ornithology,  12;  Ichthy- 
ology, 13;  Herpetology,  13; 
Climate,  13. 

—  Government,  207;  Governor's 
Office,  207;  Hall  of  the  Legisla- 
tive Assembly,  207 ;  Board  of 
Public  Works,  207;  Fire  De- 
partment, 207;  Metropolitan 
Police,  208;  Jail,  208. 

Document  Libraries,  97, 112. 

Dome,  Capitol,  63;  Ascent  of,  77. 

Door,  Main,  House  extension.  109. 

Dow.  Lorenzo,  grave  of,  205. 

Downing,  A.  J.,  39. 

  Vase,  178. 

Drive,  the.  29. 

Duddington  Mansion,  210. 

Duelling  Ground,  224. 

Easby's  Point, 49. 

Education,  Bureau  of,  142. 

Electric  gas-light  apparatus,  77. 

Elevations,  Washington,  16. 

Elevator,  95. 

Ellicott,  Andrew,  runs  bounds,  6. 

 marks  the  site  of  Capitol,  17. 

Embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims,  paint- 
ing, 75. 

Embellishments  proposed,  17. 

Engineer's  Office,  41. 

Environs  of  Washington — George- 
town, 211;  Analostan  Island, 
214;  Arlington  House  and  Na- 
tional Cemetery,  215;  Fort 
Whipple,  216;  Aqueduct  and 
Falls  of  the  Potomac,  217;  Kal- 
orama,  220;  Meridian  Hill,  220; 
Columbian  LTniversity,220;  Way- 
land  Seminary,  220;  Howard 
University,  221;  Soldiers'  Home, 
221;  Grave  of  L'Enfant,  222; 
Rock  Creek  Church  and  Ceme- 
tery, 223;  National  Cemetery, 
223;  Glen  wood  Cemetery,  224; 
Bladensburg,  224;  Columbia  In- 
stitute for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb, 


Environs  of  Washington— 

and  Deaf  Mute  College,  225 ;  Mt. 
Olivet  Cemetery,  226;  Grace- 
land  Cemetery,  227;  Reform 
School,  227;  Zoological  Society, 
227;  Government  Hospital  for 
the  Insane,  227;  Alexandria, 
228;  Mount  Vernon,  230;  De- 
fenses of  Washington,  232. 

Epiphany  Church  Home,  204. 

Etiquette,  xiv. 

Executive  av.,  28. 

  Buildings,  56. 

  Mansion  (See  Presidt's  House,) 

121. 

  Offices,  124. 

  the,  127. 

Extension  of  city,  52. 

  House,  Capitol,  108. 

  Senate,  — -  109. 

Farragut  Square,  36. 

  statute  of,  proposed,  46. 

Fillmore,  portrait  of,  123. 

Finances,  District  of  Columbia,  9. 

  Washington,  4. 

Fire  Department,  207. 

Flags,  captured,  137. 

Folding  Room,  Senate,  101. 

Foote,  Fort,  230. 

Foreign  Capitals,  5. 

Formalities,  xiv. 

Fountains,  48. 

Franklin  School,  201. 

  Square,  37. 

 statue  of,  92. 

Freedom,  statue  of,  64. 

Frescos — Rotunda,  Canopy,  76;  Sen- 
ate Reception  Room,  93;  Senate 
Post  Office,  93;  Presid'ts  Room, 
95;  Senate  Basement,  101;  Ful- 
ton, 101;  Committee  Rooms, 
Senate,  101 ;  Military  Affairs,  102; 
Naval  Affairs,  102;  Indian,  102; 
Foreign  Relations,  102;  Judici- 
ary, 102 ;  Library,  102 ;  Western 
Staircase,  House,  109;  Hall  of 
House,  113;  Agricultural  Com- 
mittee Room,  114. 

Galleries,  Senate,  97. 

  House,  112. 

Gas,  lighting  the  city,  45. 

General  information,  vii. 

Genius  of  America,  statuary,  65. 

Geographical  location,  Wash'n,  2, 

  situation,  Dist.  Columbia,  5. 

Geology,  11. 

Georgetown,  211;  Oak  Hill  Ceme- 
tery, 211;  High-service  Reser- 
voir, 212 ;  Convent  of  the  Visita- 
tion, and  Academy,  212;  College, 
213;  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Ca- 
nal, 213;  Aqued't,214;  Wharves, 
214;  Commerce,  214;  Shad  and 


248 


INDEX. 


Georgetown- 
Herring,  214;  Rock  C'k  Bridge, 
214. 

Georgia  av.,  28. 

Gerry,  Elbridge,  grave  of,  205. 

Giesboro',  230. 

Glenwood  Cemetery,  224. 

Government  Dist.  Columbia,  7,  207. 

  Washington,  4. 

 Seat  of  established,  120, 235, 236, 

237. 

  spring,  221. 

Government  Printing  Office,  168; 
Public  Printers,  169;  History, 
169. 

Governor's  Office,  207. 

Governors  list  of,  241. 

Graceland  Cemetery,  227. 

Green,  General,  statue  of,  107. 

Halls— Masonic  Temple,  198;  Odd 
Fellows\198;  Lincoln,  199;  Wil- 
lards',  199. 

Hamilton,  statue  of,  107. 

Hancock,  John,  statue  of,  96. 

Harbor,  improvement  of,  51. 

 Potomac  river,  48 ;  Harbor,  49 ; 

Potomac  channel, 49;  Anacostia 
channel,  49;  of  Georgetown,  49; 
Main  channel,  49. 

Heating  and  Ventilating  Senate, 
103;  House,  114; 

Herpetology,  13. 

Historic  Relics,  148, 187. 

Historical  Paintings — Rotunda,  70; 
Declaration  of  Independence, 
71 ;  Surrender  of  Burgoyne,  71 ; 
Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  72; 
Resignation  of  General  Wash- 
ington, 73;  Baptism  of  Poca- 
hontas, 74;  Discovery  of  the 
Mississippi  River,  75;  Landing 
of  Columbus,  75;  Embarkation 
of  the  Pilgrims,  75. 

Historical  Retrospect,  55. 

Holmead  Cemetery,  205. 

Home  for  the  Aged,  205. 

Home,  Soldiers',  221. 

Hospitals,  (see  Asylums,)  202; 

Hotels,  vii. 

House  of  Representatives,  120;  Hall 
of,  112;  Speakers  of,  121. 

Howard  University,  221. 

Hunter,  John,  portrait,  167. 

Hydrographic  Office,  140. 

Ichthyology,  13. 

II  Penseroso,  statue,  107. 

Indian  Office,  142. 

 Warrior,  bronze,  109. 

Indiana  av.,  28. 

Initial  stone  of  D.  C,  229,  230. 

Insane  Asylum,  227. 

Interior  Department,  142;  Bureaus, 
142;  Secretary's  Office,  142;  In- 


Interior  Department— 

dian  Office,  142;  Bureau  of  Ed- 
ucation, 142 ,  Survey  of  the  Ter- 
ritories, 144;  Secretaries,  144; 
The  Department,  145.  (See  Pat- 
ent Office.) 

 Secretaries,  list  of,  144. 

Jackson,  statue  of,  34. 

Jail,  200. 

Jefferson  School,  201. 

 statues  of.  109,  122. 

Jones'  Point,  230. 
Judiciary,  The,  89. 
 Square,  37. 

Justice,  Department  of,  154;  Attor- 
ney General's  Office,  154;  Por- 
traits, 155;  Attorneys  General, 
155;  The  Department,  155;  Bu- 
reaus, 155. 

Justice  and  History,  statuary,  91. 

K  street,  31. 

Kalorama,  220. 

Kearney,  General,  statue  of,  107. 

Kentucky  av.,25,28. 

Kosciusko,  bust  of,  107. 

La  Salle,  relievo,  70. 

Ladies'  Retiring  Room,  Senate,  99; 

House,  112. 
Lafayette  Square,  34. 

  portrait  of,  113. 

Landing  of  Columbus,  painting,  75. 
Landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  relievo,  70. 
Latitude,  2. 

Law  Library,  86 ;  Description  of,  104. 

Legislative  Hall,  207. 

L'Enfant,  Plan  of  Washington,  16; 
origin  of  plan,  19. 

  grave  of,  222. 

Librarians  of  the  United  States,  83. 

Libraries,  United  States,  79;  Con- 
gressional, (see  United  States,) 
79;  Smithsonian,  81 ;  Force,  81 ; 
Jefferson,  84;  Document,  H.  R., 
112;  Odd  Fellows',  199;  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associat'n,  199 ; 
Georgetown  College,  213. 

Library  of  the  United  States,  79; 
Library  Halls,  79 ;  proposed  new 
building, 79;  Volumes,  80;  Com- 
parison of  libraries,  foreign  and 
home,  80;  Collection  of  books, 
80;  Smithsonian  Library,  81; 
Force  Library,  81;  Rules  of,  82; 
Document  Libraries,  82;  View, 
83;  Librarians,  83;  History,  83; 
Jefferson  Library,  84;  Copy- 
rights, 86;  Law  Library,  86. 

Lincoln,  painting  of,  124. 

  Assassination  of,  166. 

  Bust  of,  107. 

 Square,  38. 

  Statue  of,  107. 

 proposed,  38. 


INDEX 


249 


Lincoln  Hall,  199;   Free  Reading 

Room,  199;  Library,  199. 
Livingston,  Statue  of,  107. 
Lobbies,  Senate,  94;  House,  109. 
Lodgings,  vii. 
Long  Bridge,  52. 
Longitude,  2. 
Louise  Home,  203. 
Louisiana  av.,  28. 

Lovel,  Surg.  General,  portrait,  167. 
M-street  Bridge,  53. 
Mace.  109,  113. 

Macomb,  General,  grave  of,  206. 

Mails,  the,  xii. 

Maine  av.,  28. 

Mall,  the,  19. 

Magazines,  177. 

Marble  room,  94. 

Marine  barracks,  176. 

Markets,  209;  Centre,  209;  Eastern, 

209;  Western,  209;  Northern, 

209. 

Maryland  av.,  25,  27. 
Masonic  Temple,  198. 
Mason's  Island,  214. 
Massachusetts  av.,  25,  27. 
Mayors  of  Washington,  241. 
Meridian,  first  U.  S.,  166. 

  Hill,  220. 

Missouri  av.,  28. 

Monument,  Washington  Nat'l,  192. 
Morton,  Dr.,  painting,  167. 
Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  226. 
Mount  Vernon,  230;  the  Vault,  230; 

the  Mansion,  230;  Ladies'  As- 

ciation,  231. 
  Place,  37. 

Mountain  Spring  Bridge,  218. 

Museum,  Agricultural,  159;  Army 
Medical,  167;  Ordnance,  170; 
.Naval,  174;  National,  181;  Cor- 
coran Gallery  of  Art,  191. 

Nautical  Almanac,  111. 

Naval  Hospital,  202. 

  Observatory,  163;  Site,  163;  De- 
scription, 163;  Instruments,  164; 
Superintendents,  164;  Historv, 
105. 

Navy  Department,  149;  Secretary's 
office,  140;  Admiral's  office,  140; 
Hydrographic  office,  140;  Nau- 
tical Almanac.  141;  Secretaries, 
141 ;  the  Department,  141. 

  Secretaries,  list  of,  141. 

  Yard.  174;  captured  cannon. 

174;  Buildings,  174;  Museum, 
.174;  History,  175. 

  Bridge,  53. 

Neale,  Archbishop,  grave  of,  212. 

New  Hampshire  av.,  28. 

New  Jersey  av.,  25,  28. 

New  York  av.,  25,  27. 

Newspaper  offices,  199;  National 


Newspaper  offices — 

Republican,  200;  Chronicle,  200  ; 

Evening  Star,  200. 
North  Carolina  av.,  25,  28. 
Oak  Hill  Cemetery,  211. 
Observatorv,  Naval,  163. 
Octagon,  The,  126,  140. 
Odd-Fe !  1  ows'  Hall,  198 ;  Library,  199. 
Official   Reporters'  room,  Senate, 

92;  House,  109. 
Ohio  av.,  23. 

Ordnance  office,  170;  Museum,  170. 

Ornamental  gardening,  39. 

Ornithology,  12. 

P-street  Bridge,  53. 

Paintings,  Historical,  Rotunda,  70; 
Perry's  Victory  on  L.  Erie,  92; 
Peale's  Washington,  94 ;  Storm- 
ing of  Chepultepcc,  9(i ;  Grand 
Canon  of  the  Yellowstone,  107; 
Gen.  Scott,  109;  Westward  Ho, 
109;  John  Adams,  123;  Van  Bu- 
ren,  123;  Tyler,  123;  Polk,  123; 
Fillmore,  123;  Pierce,  123; 
Washington.  124;  Lincoln,  124; 
Portraits  of  Secretaries  of  War, 
136 ;  Portraits  of  Attorneys  Gen- 
eral, 155;  Lovel,  167;  Hunter, 
167;  Morton,  167;  Physic,  167; 
Corcoran  Gallery,  191;  Wash- 
ington before  Yorktown,  231. 

Parking,  32. 

Parks,  (see  Reservations  and  Sq'rs.) 

Patent  Office,  145;  Description  of, 
146;  Model  Rooms,  147;  His- 
toric Relics,  148;  Models,  149; 
History,  150. 

Peace,  statue,  66. 

Penitentiary,  173. 

Pennsylvania  av.,  25,  26. 

Penn,  W.,  conference  with  Indians, 
relievo,  70. 

Perry's  Victory  on  Lake  Erie,  paint- 
ing, 92. 

Physic,  Dr.,  portrait,  167. 

Pierce,  portrait,  123. 

Places  of  Historical  Interest,  210. 

Plan  of  Washington,  16 ;  Origin  of, 
19 ;  Execution  of,  17. 

Plant  Houses,  157. 

Pneumatic  Tube,  103. 

Pocahontas  saving  life  of  Smith,  re- 
lievo, 70. 

Police,  Metropolitan,  208;  Capitol, 
114. 

Political  Divisions  D.  C,  7. 
Polk,  portrait,  123. 
Population,  District,  9. 

  Washington,  4. 

Postage,  rates  of,  xiii. 
Postmasters  General,  list  of,  154. 
Post  Office,  City,  xii,  153. 
  Senate,  93. 


250 


INDEX. 


Post  Office,  General,  151;  Descrip- 
tion, 151;  Postmaster  General's 
Office,  153 ;  City  Post  Office,  153 ; 
History  of  building,  153;  Post- 
masters General,  154;  The  De- 
partment^ 154. 

Potomac,  Falls  of,  217,  218. 

  the  drive  to,  217. 

  River,  48. 

Presidents,  list  of,  127. 

President's  House,  121;  Grounds, 
122;  Conservatories,  123;  Sla- 
bles,  123;  Description,  Exterior, 
123;  Interior,  123;  History,  125; 
Presidents,  127;  The  Execu- 
tive, 127. 

President's  Room,  Capitol,  95. 

Progress  of  Civilization,  statuary,  66. 

Propogating  Garden,  41. 

Prospect  Hill  Cemetery,  224. 

Providence  General  Hospital,  203. 

Public  Printers,  list  of,  109. 

Quarters,  30, 32. 

Railroads,  viii,  54. 

Raleigh,  relievo,  70. 

Rates  of  Postage,  xiii. 

Rawlins  Square,  37. 

 statue  of,  proposed,  46. 

Reading  Room,  Free,  199. 

Reception  Room,  Senate,  93. 

Refectory,  Senate,  92;  House,  113. 

Reform  School,  227. 

Relievos— Fame  and  Peace,  66;  Co- 
lumbus, Cabot,  Raleigh,  and  La 
Salle,  70;  Landing  of  the  Pil- 
grims, 70:  Pocahontas  saving 
the  life  of  Captain  Smith,  70; 
William  Penn  in  conference 
with  the  Indians,  70;  Daniel 
Boone  in  conflict  with  the  In- 
dians, 70 ;  Allegories,  in  oil,  93  ; 
Fidelity.  Steam,  and  Electri- 
city, 153. 

Reporters'    Gallery,    Senate,  99; 

House,  112. 
Reporters'    Rooms.    Senate,  97; 

House,  112. 
Representation  in  Congress,  120. 
Representatives,  Hall  of,  112;  Old 

Hall,  105. 

 Speakers  of  House  of,  121. 

Republican,  The,  200. 
Reservations,  21. 
Reservoir— see  Aqueduct;  217. 

 High  Service,  212. 

Resignation  of  Washington,  paint- 

i"gw3. 
Restaurants,  vm. 
Retrospect,  20. 
Revolution,  allegory,  76. 
Rhode  Island  av.,  28. 
Rock  Creek,  15. 
—  Bridge,  53,  214. 


Rock  Creek  Church  and  Cemetery, 

223. 

Rotunda, 69;  Statuary, 70;  Relievos, 
70;  Historical  paintings,  70-75; 
Canopy,  76;  Allegory,  76;  As- 
cent of  the  Dome,  77. 

School,  Reform,  227. 

 Franklin,  201 ;  Seaton,  201 ;  Wal- 

lach,201;  Jefferson,  201. 

 Colored,  201;  Sumner,  201. 

 History  of,  201. 

Scott  Square,  35. 

 Winfield,  painting,  109. 

 Statue  of,  36. 

Seaton  School,  201. 

Seminary,  Wayland,  220. 

Senate,  120. 

 Chamber,  99. 

 Presidents  of,  120. 

Sergeant-at-Arms,  Senate,  Room  of, 
93 ;  House,  109. 

Settlement  of  America,  statue  of,  66. 

Sewers,  32  ;  Georgetown,  32 ;  Slash 
Run,  32-34;  Intermediate  sec- 
tion, 33;  B  st.  intercepting,  33; 
Tiber  basin,  33. 

Sherman,  Roger,  statue  of,  107. 

Signal  Office,  137;  Instrument 
room,  137. 

Sixteenth  st.,  31. 

 Scott  Statue,  36. 

Smithsonian  Inst'n,  178;  Grounds, 
178;  Downing  Vase,  178;  De- 
scription of  building,  179;  Ob- 
jects, 180;  National  Museum,  181; 
Main  Hall,  182 ;  Gothic  Hall,  183 ; 
West  Hal  1, 184 ;  South  Vestibule, 
185:  Ethnological  Hall,  186;  Sec- 
retaries, 187;  History,  187. 

Soil,  16. 

Soldiers'  Home,  221. 

Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Orphan  Home, 

202. 

South  Carolina  av.,  28. 
Speakers  House  Representatives, 
120- 

 Gallery  of,  109. 

  Room,  109. 

Squares— Lafayette,  34;  Scott,  35; 
Farragut,  36;  Sixteenth  street, 
(Scott  Statue,)  30;  Franklin,  37; 
Judiciary,  37;  Rawlins,  37;  Mt. 
Vernon  Place.  37 ;  Circus  lot,  38 ; 
Armory,  38;  Lincoln,  38;  Stan- 
ton Place,  38. 

St.  Ann's  Infant  Asvlum,204. 

St.  John's  Hospital,  204. 

St.  Joseph's  Male  Orphan  Asylum, 
204. 

St.  Vincent's  Female  Orphan  Asy< 

lum,204. 
Stables,  President's,  123. 
Staircases,  Senate,  E.,  92;  W.,  90; 


INDEX. 


251 


Staircases- 
private,  94 ;  House,  E.,  109 ;  W., 
109 ;  private,  109. 

Stanton,  grave  of,  212. 

Stanton  Place,  38. 

Star,  The  Evening,  200. 

State,  Department  of,  128  ;  Archives, 
128;  State,  War,  and  Navy  De- 
partment, 128;  Secretaries,  129; 
History,  130;  Bureaus,  130. 

 Secretaries  of,  129. 

State,  War,  and  Navy  Department, 
129. 

Statistics,  District,  10;  Vital,  10;  In- 
dustry and  Wealth,  10. 

—  Washington,  5. 

Statuary— Genius  of  America,  65; 
Discovery  of  America,  66 ;  First 
Settlem't  of  America,  66;  Peace, 
66  ;  War,  66;  Progress  of  Civili- 
zation in  the  United  States,  66; 
Chief  Justices,  87;  Justice  and 
History,  91;  Franklin,  92;  Han- 
cock, 96;  Benton,  97;  Gen.  Green, 
107 ;  Roger  Williams,  107 ;  Jona- 
than Trumbull,  107;  Roger  Sher- 
man, 107  ;  George  Clinton,  107; 
Edward  Livingston,  107;  Rich- 
ard Stockton,  107 ;  General  Kear- 
ney, 107;  General  Washington, 
107;  Abraham  Lincoln,  107;  Kos- 
ciusko, 107;  Crawford,  the  Sculp- 
tor, 107;  Alexander  Hamilton, 
107;  Abraham  Lincoln,  107;  II 
Penseroso,  107;  Jefferson,  109; 
Corcoran  Gallery,  191. 

Statuary  Hall,  105. 

Statues,  46;  Greenough's  Washing- 
ington,  59 ;  Jefferson,  122;  Jack- 
son, 34 ;  Mills's  Washington,  39  ; 
Scott,  36;  Lincoln,  proposed, 
38;  Farragut,  proposed,  36;  Raw- 
lins, proposed,  37;  Lincoln,  172. 

Steamers,  ix. 

Stockton,  statue  of,  107. 

Street  Cars,  ix. 

Street  Railways,  54. 

Streets,  30. 

 renomenclature,  31. 

Sub-basement,  Senate,  103;  House, 
114. 

Sumner  School,  201. 
Superintendents  Naval  Observato- 
ry, 164. 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
87;  Chamber,  87;  Busts  of  Chief 
Justices,  87 ;  Sessions  of,  88;  the 
Chamber  when  occupied  by  the 
Senate,  88;  Chief  Justices,  89; 
Associates,  89;  The  Judiciary, 
89. 

Surratt,  Mrs.,  grave  of,  226. 
Surrender  of  Burgoyne,  paint'g,  71. 


Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  painting, 
72. 

Telegraph,  54. 
  Offices,  xiii. 

  Official,  Senate,  103;  House,  109. 

  Press,  Senate,  99;  House,  112. 

Tennessee  av.,  25,  28. 
Territorial  buildings,  207. 
Territories,  Survey  of  the,  144. 
Theatres,  xiv. 
Tiber,  16. 

Time,  difference  of,  xix. 

Topography,  District,  11. 

  Washington,  15. 

Treasury  Department,  description, 
131 ;  Secretary's  room,  133;  Cash 
room,  133;  Vaults,  133;  Count- 
ing the  currency,  133 ;  Bureaus, 
134;  Photograph  office,  134; 
Coast  Survey,  135;  Secretaries, 
135;  History,  135. 

 Secretaries  of  the,  135. 

Triangles,  39. 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  statue  of,  107. 

Tyler,  John,  portrait,  123. 

Undercroft,  The,  104. 

University,  Columbian,  220;  How- 
ard, 221. 

Uniontown,  230. 

Van  Buren,  portrait  of,  123. 

Van  Ness  mansion,  210;  Ware- 
house, 210. 

Vault  or  Undercroft,  104. 

  Senate,  103;  House,  114. 

Vehicles  for  hire,  xii. 

Vermont  av.,  25,  27. 

Vestibule,  Senate,  91 ;  House,  109. 

Vice  Presidents  U.  S.,  list  of,  120. 

Vice  President's  room,  94. 

View,  panoramic,  of  Washington,  77. 

Views  of  Washington,  15. 

Virginia  av.,  28. 

Wallach  School,  201. 

War  Department,  136;  Secretary's 
office,  136;  Gallery  of  portraits, 
136 ;  Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
136;  Flag  room,  137;  Signal 
office,  137;  Instrument  room, 
137;  the  service,  138;  Secreta- 
ries, 139;  the  Department,  139. 

 Secretaries  of,  gallery  of,  136. 

 Secretaries  of,  list  of,  138. 

 Statue  of,  66. 

Washington  Asylum,  202. 

  Defenses  of,  232. 

  Distances  from,  xix. 

  Fort,  230. 

Washington  city  a  virgin  Capital,  1; 
Geographical  location,  2;  Se- 
lection of  site,  2;  Distances,  3; 
Area,  3;  Government,  4;  Finan- 
ces, 4;  Population, 4;  Statistics, 
5 ;  Foreign  Capitals,  5.  • 


252 


INDEX. 


Washington  city,  History  of,  234; 

Commissioners,  235;  Mayors, 

241 ;  Governors,  241. 

 Orphan  Asylum,  203. 

Washington,  Geo.,  portraits,  Peale's, 

94;  Vanderlvn,113;  Stuart,  124; 

Peale,  183,  231. 
Washington,  Geo ,  commission  of, 

128. 

Washington,  Geo.,  statue  of,  Green- 
ough,  50;  Mills,  39;  Houdon's 
copy  of,  107;  early  statue  pro- 
posed 18. 

 Tomb  of,  230. 

 Martha,  grave  of,  230. 

Washington  National  Monument, 
192;'  Grounds,  192;  Design,  192; 
Description,  195;  Lapidarium, 
196;  History,  196. 

Water  supply,  46;  Early  schemes, 


Water  supply — 

47;  Aqueduct.  217 ;  Experimen- 
tal surveys,  218. 

Way  land  Seminary,  220. 

Westward  Ho,  109. 

Wharves,  50. 

 Georgetown,  214. 

Whipple,  Fort,  216. 

White  House-see  Prest's  House,  121. 

Williams,  Roger,  statue  of,  107- 

Winder's  Building,  170. 

Wirt,  Wm.,  residence  of,  210;  grave 
of,  206. 

Wirz,  execution  of,  173;  grave  of, 

226. 

Yellowstone,  Grand  Canon  of,  paint- 
ing, 107. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Ass'n,  199. 
Zoological  Society,  227. 
Zoology,  District,  12. 


J 


GETTY  RESEARCH  INSTITUTE 


3  3125  01410  3564 


